6

I'm the best liar in the world...or am I...?

Even though there's a new Manics album in the works, two of the trio (Bradfield and Nicky Wire) are both busy on solo projects. Sean Moore is apparently preoccupied with being a father - but let's face it: it's pretty tricky for a drummer to record a solo album - unless you want a full-length record of 'Moby Dick' silliness.

'That's No Way To Tell A Lie' is sumptuous in its production, beginning with a simple guitar/drum/handclaps intro before the synths kick in and the track soars - so not very much different to the regular Manics sound then. Bradfield's voice is as strong and effective as ever though he appears to have taken a squiz at Nicky Wire's lyric-writing rulebook and concocted a seemingly impenetrable, philosophical swerve that when you get right down to it means very little.

B-side 'Don't Look Back' is better by far. The desolate lyrics are quietly affecting and benefit greatly from a less ostentatious production. Bradfield's voice is also far better suited to the material and you can't help but wonder why the record company execs didn't decide to switch the track-listing. Probably something to do with the fact that songs with handclaps sell more, I'd imagine.

The album is out on 24th July and Bradfield will also be playing V2006 if you want to catch him live. Buy this for the b-side - and hope that when the album is released, Bradfield decided that Wire actually ain't that great a lyricist and came up with something better on his own.