New Art Riot EP

Quick Reviews!

'Listen and learn now it's time to kill your betters'
The New Art Riot EP is a perfect example of the band's early punk style- short, heavy blasts of crunching guitars, minigun drum beats with near indecipherable sloganeering lyrics of anger and defiance. The four songs here are indispensable for all Manics fans, showing their youthful angst but single-minded fury.
'Hospital closure kills more than car bombs ever will'
New Art Riot, the single is the best song here, not as tuneful as Suicide Alley or Mowtown Junk, but with better lyrics. They are shocking, provocative, and screamed by James in a way that makes them seem like the most important words ever spoken. The stop/start timing of the song is a common feature of early manics songs, another sign of the dualism which makes them unique. It is a statement on creating something new- Museums are dead, for too long art has been the realm of the upper class, when true art is created in the ferocity of the moment. 'Everybody's taking drugs cos it makes governing easier' is an added tirade against the early 90's british music scene of getting stoned and spouting useless musings and worthless thoughts. One of the best songs of the early manic's catalogue.

'I don't wanna dance for people to watch'
Strip it Down was a live favourite for many years, sung in a more breathy fashion, with jumpy guitars and obligatory power chords. I was never much of a fan of this...  Read full review »

In the beginning

The Manics' first 'proper' release, the New Art Riot EP stood out from the Madchester and shoegazing crowds back in 1990 and now stands out just as defiantly from the crowd of subsequent Manics releases, barely recognisable to the band we know today. Steeped in Clash and Skids motifs, the four tracks are short, sharp socio-political manifestos not quite as developed in the tune department as the follow-up singles, 'Motown Junk' and 'You Love Us', but have energy and attitude in abundance. 'New A...  Read full review »

Super short - super sweet

Fancy rockin' out in your room right now? Then check this out: quarter of an hour from neo-punk specialists, The Manics. They se...  Read full review »

What the manics used to stand for

This ep represents the early manics in all their conflicted despair, glamour and optimism. Their glorious us-against-the-world mentality is there for all to see.

All four songs are fast, catchy punk anthems mixed with intelligent political ramblings that the manics used to...  Read full review »

Proof that the Manics used to be a good rock band

If you listen to songs like "A Design For Life" and "There By The Grace Of God", you could be forgiven for thinking that the Manic Street Preachers were inspired by the boring stadium rock bands of the early seventies.
The Manics have tended to take "Rock Boredom" to a new level of commercialism in recent years.
However, the Manics started out as a Clash-like political rock band with loads of energy and screaching guitars.
This very rare E.P. is one of the best exampl...  Read full review »