PAUL DRAPER :: 'LEGACY: The Best Of Mansun' Review
A full and detailed breakdown of the Mansun best of album!
| Legacy: The Best Of Mansun - Draperview.com Mega Review! | ||
By Paul Timson :: September 2006 - © www.draperview.com
The term "Best of" is slightly misleading as it assures the more casual listener that this collection of songs is the best Mansun had to offer. While commercially of course the singles were vital, many fans would list obscure EP and stunning album tracks to be amongst Mansun's best work along with selected singles. A singles collection is what this is, albeit with 'The Chad Who Loved Me' included which was, according to sleeve notes, sometimes thought of as a single release due to it's use on TV. The DVD included in the special edition package is probably what hardcore Mansun fans are most looking forward to and will be reviewed seperately in part two. I imagine this CD would be a nice impulse purchase for people who can recall one or two tracks but would like to know more. If you are one of those people and you like what you hear then please consider buying the albums that the songs come from as I assure you they contain songs of equal and usually higher quality! To make the song reviews clearer and more interesting I will give 3 ratings to each song: NL - The "New Listener" rating that rates the song as if it has never been heard before WIDE OPEN SPACE If any song on this collection is likely to get those casual listeners buying it will undoubtedly be "Wide Open Space". This song, along with title track "Legacy" are the ones that worked their way into the public sub consciousness. Those people who didn't particularly like Mansun, maybe had never heard of them were generally accepting of these two songs. In the case of Wide Open Space, it served somewhat as a fashionable name check device amongst the people who didn't particularly buy into Mansun completely but wished to acknowledge their existence. On the other hand it also brought in many new long term fans which is what a great single should do. Of course most long time Mansun's fans love this song and it shows real craftsmanship and uniqueness in it's songwriting. Possibly by now a bit of an albatross for Mansun as it became synonymous with them and some fans maybe grew tired of always hearing the same song mentioned in discussions about Mansun. It is a brilliant song, always will be, and has justified it's placing on this collection by default. WIDE OPEN SPACE RATINGS STRIPPER VICAR Stripper Vicar is generally regarded as both a very strong addition to Mansun's history and also slightly "of it's time". It has Britpop overtones (released at a time when Britpop was dying) but thankfully has a lot more of the true "Mansun Sound" that keeps it at the top of the Mansun tree. Namely it doesn't just flirt with Britpop jauntiness and small town secrets, musically it harks back to the glorious early 80's. The combination is effortless and stunning. The verses (typically a very strong point with Paul Draper written songs) are sarcastically but sympathetically constructed. Tuneful but refreshingly brash. And the "story" that unfolds through them is still one of the most imaginative and well delivered in it's genre. The Chorus is a place where you will find (perhaps subconscious) homage's to Tears For Fears. Again though, Draper has enough unique vocal characteristics to really make the song his own. Stripper Vicar (even the title is one of the coolest song names ever) is an immediate demonstration of Mansun's power and Paul Draper's commercial songwriting. The song didn't compromise in theme or sound but still managed to be completely addictive pop rock in a sea of dying britpop wannabe's. This song captured a few fans for the band (me included) and helped provide the mystery and charm of the early Mansun "image" that sadly disappeared over time. According to the sleeve notes, Paul attributes this eventual transition from "gobbledygook" lyrics into real "heart on your sleeve" words on later stuff as him overcoming his shyness and not burying his feelings under layers of sarcastic irony. A brilliant single, newcomers will love it, old timers may be a bit too familiar with it now as it lacks the massive depth of other Mansun songs, mainly album and EP tracks. However it is by far one of their most glorious pop moments! STRIPPER VICAR RATINGS LEGACY Legacy as a single at the time of release wasn't all things to all fans. Some immediately loved it while others wondered how this more natural sounding song represented the forthcoming album it was preceding ("SIX"). Legacy didn't have any immediate hooks or punky under pinning's to make it jump out. It was a definite slow burner. It was the type of song that would gain yet more long term fans for Mansun's as, due to it's structure, it tends to attract the type of listener who has patience and understanding of music. Someone who is willing to listen without bias and will more than likely go on to buy the album. Legacy wasn't exactly representative of the album as it is one of the few songs from it that is in the form of standard song. The album contains a lot of experimental ideas, raw sounds, long and twisting sonic masterpieces and, in places, stuff that could barely be considered songs in the normal meaning of the word. The album is a masterpiece that works well but you can see that the prime audience for 'Six' and it's singles would have probably been the "already a fan" listener. Legacy itself deals with some dark issues and is ambiguous enough for most listeners to enjoy. Musically it is one of their stronger singles and has a great riff and tonnes of atmosphere. The refrain "Nobody cares when you're gone" was an encouraged chant when Legacy was played live and is a very memorable line and means quite a lot to long term Mansun fans. A melancholic epic that most bands would never release as a single, but then most bands are not Mansun. LEGACY RATINGS SHE MAKES MY NOSE BLEED This song is by far one of the most commercial and 'normal' songs in Mansun's singles cache, following a standard format, using familiar chord sequences and riffs and delivered with a 'no nonsense' formula. Again Paul Draper has transformed what could have been a fairly average / typical pop rock song into something a bit darker, twisted and ironic. This is the era where Mansun were at their melodic best and stood the best chance of catching a listener's ear. Sure the later material from 'Little Kix' was tuneful and immediate but it lost the dark humour that had been present in Mansun previously. A lot of fans loved the fact that the band were not afraid of melody or to write "nice sounding songs" but especially because they mixed them up with lyrics and ideals that usually were at odds with the overall sound. This gave Mansun stuff both a depth and an immediacy which is perfect for singles. In some ways the singles from 'Six' had the depth (but lacked immediacy) and the singles from 'Little Kix' had immediacy but lacked depth. This is why this (slightly biased) reviewer still rates the singles from the early phase of Mansun as their best. Album wise it's equal between 'Six' and 'Attack Of The Grey Lantern'. This song is another one that can be appreciated by "Non fans" and would be worth picking up the CD for if you only desire a small peek into the mad world of Mansun. This song also has what I would say is one of the best harmony vocals in a mansun song and to me is typical of "pure Mansun sound" and Paul Draper vocals. A standard but catchy song, elevated by lyrical content and vocal performances. SHE MAKES MY NOSE BLEED RATINGS THE CHAD WHO LOVED ME I don't know many Mansun fans who do not like this song (though I'm sure they are out there). This song, which is really an extended intro come vehicle for cross fading into the first "real" song on the album it was taken from ('Attack Of The Grey Lantern') is useful here at conveying some of the magic that fans felt when they first listened to Mansun's debut album. It was never just about the singles with Mansun and this track shows why the band were emotionally engaging when they choose to be. As usual Draper's lyrics are of the darker variety and the whole song feels simultaneously suppressing and liberating, no mean feat! The heavy use of strings will catch the attention of any fan of that sort of thing (such as myself) and lead you into a false sense of tranquility before the biting vocals and harder guitars arrive. One of the best songs of their career. Beautiful but with enough punk edge that you will want it at your wedding! THE CHAD WHO LOVED ME RATINGS TAXLOSS Straight away this song demands a lot of it's listener. It stands out from the other singles and sounds more experimental. It appears to be very Beatles inspired but once again Paul takes the seed of an idea and completely dominates it, forcing it to be considered "correct". It has a powerful and sinister delivery and a great overall sound. It's a multi faceted song that hints at what was to come in "SIX" (album). The main difference here of course is it's complete lack of earthiness. It's synthetic core and hard-produced studio sound make it a bit of a 'marmite' song for some fans. You either love it or hate it. I adore it and still find it one of their most consistently listenable single releases. There is plenty to be found here but it's possibly not the most immediate of songs. I prefer depth over immediacy and as a long term fan it has held up well. This song is especially brilliant when witnessed live (particularly so if an extended drum intro takes place to buy time for some guitar based mishap from Mr Dominic Chad ;) ) Under appreciated amongst many, a real "core" song that re-affirms early Mansun's attitude. TAXLOSS RATINGS GETTING YOUR WAY A song that most new fans won't have heard. Released on the flip side of the sole Kleptomania single release 'Slipping away' the song is in an obscurity that is completely undeserved. I consider it one of Mansun's strongest efforts at being "different" to their previous stuff, and a REAL return to form that had been mislaid somewhere during the 'little Kix' album era. The main upsides to this track are the driving rhythm, great guitar, catchy vocals and the harmonies. It does have something in common with good Depeche Mode songs like 'Barrel Of A Gun' but is not in the same thematic ball park (in other words it's not as dark). The lyrics are a bit of a departure for Mansun as they are not as ambiguous as previous efforts, they seem more channeled and direct. The overall effect is extremely good. The song would have been a classic Mansun track had it been released "for real" and the band had still been together. Musically it sounds as if it should have followed the Six album and advanced Mansun to the next level, combining the commercial brilliance of 'Attack Of The Grey Lantern' sound with the harder edge of 'Six'. Brilliant musically, still up to date, some may not care for the lyrics if they expect typical mansun stuff. GETTING YOUR WAY RATINGS NEGATIVE This song is another hard hitter from Mansun's darkest phase. It's one of their best musically and vocally. As usual it sits far better in the context of the album it comes from but is still a complete song in itself. I can imagine it would be hard for a non fan at the time to know what to make of it which could account for it's low chart placement. Misunderstood without the context of the album surrounding it, musically and vocally brilliant. NEGATIVE RATINGS SIX If only they had released the Album version of Six as a single instead of this version! Doubtful it would have done as well but it would have kept the original spirit. Taken without prior knowledge of the album version, this song is definitely one of Mansun's best. The lyrics, vocals and chorus are all perfect. This version sees a slightly subdued but also more immediate version of the great song. It manages to capture the essence of the song and the chorus is still as addictive as ever. To fully appreciate it though the album version is required listening. I think Mansun peaked with this song in album form. The production on the single is more akin to the sound of 'Little Kix' in my opinion whereas the album take is more raw and far more convincingly delivered. This song would get 10/10 in each rating if it was the album version, still one of their best though. SIX RATINGS EGG SHAPED FRED The sleeve notes of this compilation are very enlightening! Grab a copy and read them to find out the real reason behind this song! Of course songs are normally more than just a single direct inspiration point. Lyrically it sticks to it's "theme" very well. It sounds as if it could have been made in the most drug riddled end of the sixties. Musically it takes a standard rock formula and adds some Mansun spice. It's rocking, danceable and grin inducing all at the same time. Classic Mansun sound before we even knew there was such a thing! (Timeless) EGG SHAPED FRED RATINGS BEING A GIRL (PART ONE) In single form, this song is a no-nonsense blast of androgynous rock that leaves listeners hyped up (from the music) and questioning (from the lyrics). The album version goes on to explain more in "part two" but really it's the music and vocal phrases in the full album version that make this a classic Mansun song. Having said this, Part One does it's job perfectly as a rock single, it comes and goes without apology and leaves a lasting impression. Punchy and sharp, a classic piece of Mansun released at the height of their career. Album version is twice as good! BEING A GIRL (PART ONE) RATINGS CLOSED FOR BUSINESS Another "Epic" Mansun song, with the essence of 'Wide Open Space' and a precursor to 'Legacy' this is a very interesting transitional piece between the early classic Mansun and the more mature experimental Mansun that went on to record "Six". It's not the most immediate of songs and perhaps lacks true single potential. That however is why it served well as a stop gap between albums, it was a quiet almost secret communication to the fans that managed to get an impressive chart placement. Exactly what Paul intended, a non conformist single that went against better judgment and still managed to succeed. Well done for bucking the trends Mr Draper! An emotional and atmospheric song. Mainly one for the fans I suspect, but shows how successfully offbeat Mansun could be when they wanted to. CLOSED FOR BUSINESS RATINGS I CAN ONLY DISAPPOINT YOU A song apparently written about one of Paul's ex lovers. To many fans it was seen as a more ambiguous or personal message to the fan base. An apology for something that had not yet happened. The beauty of the song is that you can take it how you want, the verses are less ambiguous than the chorus and details the "story" aspect in the song more so the chorus is where this song really earns it's keep. A well written and great sounding song but with less mystery or twisted brilliance than the singles that had come before it and an indication of the direction 'Little Kix' would be taking. Catchy riff, lacking the rock edge Mansun had become loved for but still one of Mansun's most popular songs. I CAN ONLY DISAPPOINT YOU RATINGS SLIPPING AWAY First heard by many fans at live gigs, it was Mansun returning to form. The version present here is lacking some of the weight of the live renditions however. The guitars are more subdued. In fairness both this and 'Getting Your Way' were taken from aborted 4th album sessions (Eventually released in album form as 'Kleptomania'). It is a shame they split because both of the singles from 'Kleptomania' (and other stuff not here like 'Love Remains','Home' and 'Keep Telling Myself') finally seem to combine Paul's new found expressiveness and directness with the edginess their earlier stuff had. 'Little Kix' seemed to be essential in a way for Paul to hone that side of his songwriting. These "aborted" songs in my opinion were primed to cross the boundaries into commercial mainstream but without the compromises Paul was so disgusted by and wary of. Slipping Away was Mansun's last single, a solid song that missed out on the success it deserved. SLIPPING AWAY RATINGS TAKE IT EASY CHICKEN Along with 'Skin Up Pin up' (Absent from this collection!) this is the song that kept very early fans loyal. The combination of strange lyrics and inherent tune got Mansun the airplay they deserved. In this more sterile form it does now sound more formulaic, with one or two influences perhaps too obvious. Later in their career Mansun really made the song their own through live performance. The best officially recorded version of this song in my opinion is from a live gig and included as an EP track on another Mansun single. That version is harder, darker and with a better vocal. Early classic, tune still stands up but better in live incarnations. TAKE IT EASY CHICKEN RATINGS ELECTRIC MAN What we have here is a complete change in Mansun sound and attitude. It is a beautifully sunny record with a warm chorus and probably very appealing to people on a superficial level. It has the elements of a great pop record but with perhaps a little of the Mansun essence missing. In the sleeve notes Paul mentions the song coming about as almost a contradiction to 'Six' and the attitude it conveys. I suppose most fans were expecting a mix between the first and second albums but got something new instead. It shows Paul's versatility if nothing else but is lacking in depth and atmosphere which their greatest stuff always had. It is not a bad song by any means, it is just that Mansun when good were brilliant and had a hard time competing with themselves, instead they would change and surprise the fans. Some enjoyed the surprise, many didn't. On it's own it's a strong, beautiful song worthy of the charts. For me though, it's far from one of their best. ELECTRIC MAN RATINGS FOOL I know there are a few fans who like this song. Unfortunately i'm not one of them. it's not that I don't "like" it, but it is so far removed from the rest of the bands sound, that it is off putting even for some dyed in the wool fanatics such as myself. In fairness I think the song in it's finished form is failing to convey the intent of the songwriter. The song is a good standard song (and has parts within it that are brilliant, such as the rising harmonies before the chorus). The main problem stems from an almost clinical delivery of the song in both arrangement and performance. The vocals are fine, Paul Drapers masterful voice again not dropping the ball at all. I just feel for this song he maybe needed more to work with, or it may have been intended to go in a more punky direction but was restrained into a more commercial attempt. Paul has always worked best when he did what he really wanted to do instead of trying to please others. This for me is Mansun's worst single (and according to the sleeve notes, Paul's least favourite Mansun song), but take my views with a pinch of salt if you enjoy it as it's just the opinion of someone who was fanatical about a certain sound, era or attitude of the band that had been left at the door during this song's production. Another 'Marmite' track. This time however I won't be spreading it on my toast in the mornings. FOOL RATINGS SUMMARY To sum up the best of is quite difficult coming from someone who has heard every song Mansun has to offer. Fans will love it because it's an official Mansun release and a real goodbye to a much loved band. The songs it contains are all of very high quality (with the odd exception) and should appeal to lovers of rock, pop, electronic, alternative and new wave. Maybe it's this eclectic-ness that makes it difficult to categorise Mansun and therefore indicative of why it was hard for them to build up massive numbers of appreciaters. They are a niche that appeals to accepting listeners who would normally enjoy all types of music. People who only like one type of music may have trouble understanding or appreciating Mansun. Those of us who do, know how great the band were and how they hit us on a personal level that most bands never come close to. They still have a very loyal following years after their split which is not something you can say for many bands that have come and gone over the last decade. Subjectively as a collection of songs this compilation is brilliant. It has a real 'box of chocolates' appeal about it and there are no shortage of glorious melodies. There is also plenty of "attitude" for those who like things a bit edgy. The one thing that can not be doubted however is the brilliance of the songwriting and the delivery. Combined with one of the most expressive and emotional voices you will ever hear it has got to be a winner. One thing is very clear through listening to this collection. The best songs are those where Paul has had as much say as possible in the final product, the tracks he produces or co-produces are consistently Mansun's strongest material. It would have been nice to see a longer / double CD including fan favourites such as 'Everyone Must Win', 'The World's Still Open','Flourella','Railings','Special/Blown it', 'Cancer','Dark Mavis','What It's Like To Be Hated' and 'Disgusting'. Thankfully these tracks are out there if you look hard enough (and buy enough Albums and EPs) and easily rank amongst their "best" stuff. If judged purely on singles output many people will miss the subtleties and emotional depth of Mansun and Paul Draper's unique songwriting. No one expects this compilation to change the world, or the worlds opinion of Mansun but it serves to show just how wrong detractors are if they attack the songwriting. This is a band that had a lot of pressure and a lack of respect from the mainstream music press and yet still managed to leave a legacy of infinitely interesting and re-playable songs. Bands of this type have been around before and in most cases they have usually had the last laugh years later when people realised how good they were. Mansun were great, and that core of greatness lives on in Paul Draper, anyone who disagrees that this man has immense talent must be lacking a heart or proper hearing. Legacy: The Best Of Mansun is available now! If you have any comments on this review please feel free to leave a reply on the blog news post! By Paul Timson :: September 2006 - © www.draperview.com |
