The album’s opening lyric “Twenty-foot high on Blackpool promenade” on track ‘Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier’ is one I still find haunts me. It is one of five lyrics included on ‘Everything Must Go’ written by Richey James (Edwards) who mysteriously disappeared on 1^st February 1995. ‘Everything Must Go’ saw the light of day on the 20^th May 1996 and was the Manics first album without their guiding light. 

The lyric reminds me of a time when all was not well and also of a sadly departed friend who passed away after battling illness at far too young an age. I won’t go any further than that as it is still very painful to think about. However I wanted to include this in the influential albums as I think it is important to understand the power of music. Just hearing certain songs from ‘Everything Must Go’ trigger’s emotions and memories and to my mind there is no other artistic medium that matches music when it comes to stepping in the time machine. 

Time moves on of course and mental scares heal eventually. But what we still have is our memories and music has an astonishing ability to transport us to a specific time and place. Why this is so, is what is so fascinating about it. On those hideous reality TV shows like Big Brother where people are removed from society for a fixed period the thing they seem to miss most is music.  

Back in 1996 I was missing music as the Grunge period was a no-no for me. In fact I was falling out of love with it all. The Britpop movement was in full swing and it seemed like everyone was living in some sort of cultural and mental vacuum. The Tory government had been in power for aeons but it had all gone stale and the legacy of Thatcherism had made a huge negative impact in the north of England and of course The Manic's own back yard in the coal mining areas of South Wales. 

‘Everything Must Go’ was one of the exceptions, musically, perfectly reflecting the time yet still musically accomplished and full of atmosphere. Bassist Nicky Wire stepped into the lyric writing breach to brilliant effect including the anthems ‘A Design For Life’ and the title track itself. Wire was far more politically orientated lyrically than James but that didn’t stop people getting the wrong idea on ‘A Design For Life’ many thinking it was a song glorifying getting pissed. 

In truth ‘A Design’ was all about being working class and The Manic's roots in South Wales but maybe Wire inadvertently struck a chord with everyone with the now infamous ‘we only want to get drunk’ lyric. For many there wasn’t much else to do. 

A lot of water has passed under the bridge for me since and I’m glad to say that (and you should never count your chickens) life is far more fulfilling than its ever been. The band however went on a rollercoaster ride failing to emulate the success of ‘Everything Must Go’ often frustrating fans with both their musical and lyrical direction.  

However a recent interview in Classic Rock magazine with Rush’s Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee (where Bradfield and Wire were the interviewers) is a sure fire indicator that The Manic's are ready to stop taking themselves too seriously, indicated by a return to form with 2007’s ‘Send Away The Tigers’ album; proving life is a delicate balancing act after all. Perhaps the key lesson learnt form ‘Everything Must Go’, with regards to hindsight.  

If this article has stirred interest in ‘Everything Must Go’ check out the tenth anniversary edition, released in 2006, with all its extra goodies. However the original album still sounds fresh and vibrant enough and is rightly regarded as a classic in its own right.

Let us know your views on Everything Must Go

Track Listing

Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier
A Design for Life
Kevin Carter
Enola/Alone
Everything Must Go
Small Black Flowers That Grow in the Sky
The Girl Who Wanted to Be God
Removables
Australia
Interiors (Song for Willem de Kooning)
Further Away
No Surface All Feeling

Line Up

James Dean Bradfield - Guitars/Vocals
Sean Moore - Drums
Nicky Wire - Bass