James Dean Bradfield - The Great Western

The 2006 debut solo album from the Manic Street Preachers vocalist garnered rave reviews by the UK music press. While he had only contributed lyrics to MSP songs "Ocean Spray" and "Firefight", Bradfield indeed wrote the majority of lyrics on this project and all the melodies, which are rich and pleasingly catchy, as you might expect. Fellow Manics bassist/lyricist Nicky Wire contributed lyrics to "Bad Boys and Painkillers" and Bradfield covers the late Jacques Brel�s "To See A Friend In Tears". Fellow Welsh band member Daf Ieuen of Super Furry Animals frequently appears pounding the skins on several cuts. The title likely refers to the Great Western Railway, which seems to be reflected on the album's cover art. Bradfield refers to his journeys from South Wales to London on the GWR in the song "Emigre". Lest you think this is the end of the Manics, think again. As Bradfield expounds on his blog, this project has only served to bring the trio closer than ever.(i love Manics)