Church Swine

 

Oh, it must have been almost a month ago that my friend Jackie showed up with the then latest issue of NME and gave it to me - he'd bought it for me - and I didn't know what to expect, I've been kind of out of the loop for a while. My eyes adjusted and I saw Richey Edwards on the cover. Well thanks so much, bud, this is swell because I don't always enter into society, I would have missed this issue and probably the next 500 to come, but whatever, materials. This is neat though, so I'd intended to give appreciation.

If you've not heard of Richey Edwards, that's a shame. He was the co-lyricist, rhythm guitarist and representative for the Manic Street Preachers. They're one of several bands I hold in high regard, their social commentary is the most effective and they really spoke for a generation, especially at a time when Madchester, Britpop, alcohol and pills were on the agenda.

It was coming up to the 20th anniversary of their beloved album, The Holy Bible, and so that's why they've got an extensive feature in this issue. Ten pages worth, rightly.

That is a Kerrang issue on the left. Dirty, dirty mag. I heard there was a Manic's Holy Bible feature in there, and there it is, all of two pages. Most impassioned band to grace the pages of that rag in years, I reckon. Since they changed their demographic it's been like a cross between a dirty magazine and a kids comic.

Still, good to see them featured at all. Maybe some scene kids will be able to discern what's real from what is a ream of superficial ridiculousness.

Heading: IS THIS THE DARKEST RECORD EVER?

I consider it to be in that division. If not the darkest, then certainly one of. For a reason though; it's not dark for the sake of it; it is the unembellished, ugly truth which religions choose to ignore. And ignorance breeds suffering, so why does religion nurture it? Because the ignorant and the weak are easily herded.

For all of its truth, by no means is it an ugly album; it's a plethora of emotions, truly a work of art. What I say can scarcely do it justice. Lyrically scathing, poetic and poignant, too. Richey wrote around 70-75% of the lyrical input for the record and it is unparalleled. I can only imagine the exquisite works he'd have produced if he'd stayed around and been able to overcome his despair.

Cover slogan: BRAND NEW TESTAMENT

It's been almost a month and I've not read either article. I'm always preoccupied, hence the delayed appreciation. I would have liked to have taken a picture with the magazine on the early evening it was given to me, a sobering sunset, sat on a park bench, but never mind, instead what we have are a selection of photos in a church. Kind of appropriate, kind of senseless.

I actually took them to read, but didn't get around to it. I finished the last three chapters of Kundalini Tales, then found half a bottle of church wine and impulsively downed the lot. I don't even like alcohol, haven't touched it in a couple of years, so got considerably tipsy. Essentially drank the blood of Christ and let the congregation go without. Afterwards I tried to comprehend what made me think it was a good idea to begin with. Strange one. Brain's readjusted now.

Where The Insects Run The Show

Bequeathed by Mr R Erickson
West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum

Look at this jumble of bugs. Imagine opening a drawer to find this little lot. There appears to be an assortment of butterflies, moths, beetles and dragonflies. Even though they're dead and encased behind glass, they'd likely make your skin crawl if you weren't a fan of insects. With their rich colours, this array could effectively blend with a littering of Autumn leaves on the ground. The patterns and eyespots, what are they saying? What do they say to you?

There's not enough recognition for the incredible and enlightening societies of the insect world, I think it's a great shame. Individually we can learn a lot by observing, studying or researching them. There are over one million different species of insects - compared to just the one human species.

The image is from the inlay of Kasabian's third album West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, an album I'm really fond of for its concept, style, art, lyrical content, overall comprehensive sound and the mystical nature of certain tracks especially. It's like all the great 'psych' films rolled into one and put to music, turned into a soundtrack. If the walls of an old asylum would speak, these recordings are what we'd hear. The album is residual energy. It's like a collage of male and female eyes all fluttering in their own times and bathed in sunshine, moonlight, shadows and smeared mascara... a cluster of headaches, desperate voices and sensual whispers curling in the air... all of these racing thoughts and feelings, flights of fancy... passionate, romantic, misunderstood, forsaken, nostalgic, poignant, idealistic, restless, delirious, neurotic, esoteric, blissful, grandiose, indestructible... sexual tension, fevers, cold lightning, warm rain... English rose bleeding against a white picket fence... golden meadows, high kites, dandelion wishes... summer days where dreams run into reality in the disorienting heat... long summer nights with no definite end in sight...

This is how I'd begin to describe what the music does for me. As a work of art it has been deeply affecting. For me there's no doubt in my mind that this is a summer record. The photo of the dead insects has a vibe about it as if autumn is drawing in, but they've been in the glass case for years and years, the change of season is always coming, never settling. The insects are preserved, that is, in permanent stasis. I think it's suitable, fitting for the concept, and it's the centre of the inlay. I've not found any posts on the internet giving appreciation on this, only a piece of information about the plaque below the insects (which is supposedly a reference to Roky Erickson of the 13th Floor Elevators). Although I see it as art - and that is its purpose in the booklet - I guess it's a collection from a museum. It's incredible, so I just wanted to share it. Isn't that part of the beauty of physical copies of albums? The artwork, the layout, the background. Brings another perspective, the visual aspect to further bring alive the themes present within the songs...