Manic Street Preachers

Debut albums rarely come as ambitious as the Manic Street Preachers' Generation Terrorists. Released in England as a double album (it was trimmed to the length of a single record in America), the album teemed with slogans, political rhetoric, and scarily inarticulate angst. Since the Manics deliver these charged lyrics as heavy guitar rockers, the music doesn't always hit quite as forcefully as intended. The relatively polished production and the big guitar sound occasionally sell the music short, especially on the lesser songs, yet the Manics' passion is undeniable. While the album is loaded with a little bit too much unrealized material in retrospect, its best moments -- the fiery "Slash N' Burn" and "Little Baby Nothing"; the incendiary "Stay Beautiful"; the sardonic "You Love Us," and the haunting "Motorcycle Emptiness" -- capture the Manics in all their raging glory. [The album also appeared with a bonus track.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide