With the Manic Street Preachers in the studio recording their eighth studio album, James has produced his first solo album, entitled 'The Great Western'. The ever-distinct voice of James Dean Bradfield emerges with a re-invigorated writing confidence and a hugely anticipated debut solo album. Though James was at the helm musically, the band's unique division of labour meant that nobody has ever known much of what makes James Dean Bradfield the human being tick. 'The Great Western' is his belated statement of intent, a heroic pop-rock memoir statement that combines the sweeping flourishes of 'Everything Must Go'; the airtight punk of 'The Holy Bible' and 'Generation Terrorists's wide-eyed lust for life, and vacuum packs it all into 11 raw, unfussed and passionate modern rock tracks.
The album reconnects with his Welsh identity for sure; coming to terms with and moving on with the triumphs and tragedies of his past - yes; but while 'The Great Western' is as grown-up and profound as that sounds, it's shot through with the same primal zeal for melody, urge for power chords and lust for life that have kept James Dean Bradfield at the summit of Britrock for 15 years.
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