Even in Exile
Even in Exile | ||||
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Studio album by James Dean Bradfield | ||||
Released | 14 August 2020 | |||
Recorded | 2019 | |||
Studio | Door to the River Studio | |||
Genre | Progressive rock[1] | |||
Length | 48:20 | |||
Label | MontyRay | |||
James Dean Bradfield chronology | ||||
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Singles from Even in Exile | ||||
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Even in Exile is the second solo studio album by the Manic Street Preachers vocalist and guitarist James Dean Bradfield. The album is a concept album based on the life and death of the Chilean activist, singer and poet Víctor Jara, with lyrics by poet and playwright Patrick Jones (the older brother of Manic Street Preachers bassist, Nicky Wire).[1][2] It was released on 14 August 2020 by record label MontyRay, and reached number 6 on the UK Albums Chart.[3]
Release
In June 2020, two preview songs were released, "There'll Come a War" and "Seeking the Room with the Three Windows", followed up by the album's first single "The Boy from the Plantation" being premiered by Steve Lamacq on 1 July 2020 on BBC Radio 6. The album was released on 14 August 2020.[citation needed] Bradfield also released an accompanying three-part podcast "Inspired by Jara" discussing Jara's life and enduring cultural influence.[4]
Music
Influences
A concept album of the poet's life, Even in Exile drew inspiration from the folk music of Víctor Jara.[5] In addition, James Dean Bradfield cited Man and their album The Welsh Connection,[6] Pink Floyd and Meddle,[6] German musician Nico and The Marble Index,[6] as well as Johnny Marr and the band Rush as influences on Even in Exile.[6] Discussing the record's influences with LouderSound, Bradfield stated that "I was actually able to pick up bits of stuff that I was influenced by but wasn't aiming for".[6]
Style
Patrick Clarke of NME lauded Even in Exile "a personal prog-rock epic".[1] Steve Crabtree opined that the record displayed a "musical range", including Latin music, progressive rock, and soft rock.[7]
Reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
DIY | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Observer | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Even in Exile was generally well received by critics. Patrick Clarke of NME called it "a deft, heartfelt and above all personal record that pays fitting tribute to Jara's immense legacy, all the while providing a platform for some of Bradfield's finest songwriting in recent years".[1] Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic praised "how it respectfully salutes Jara while conveying the emotions and ideas stirred within the singer/songwriter".[8]
Nick Harris of DIY complimented parts of the album, but criticised its lack of focus.[9] Damien Morris wrote in The Observer that: "There’s one word in the first song that proves why Manic Street Preachers remain such an important band. Their frontman, James Dean Bradfield, that pocket pugilist with a valley chorister’s voice, has made an album–length tribute to Víctor Jara, the Chilean musician and activist murdered by Pinochet’s mob."[10]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Patrick Jones; all music is composed by James Dean Bradfield, except as noted
No. | Title | Music | Length |
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1. | "Recuerda" | 3:54 | |
2. | "The Boy from the Plantation" | 3:53 | |
3. | "There'll Come a War" | 4:38 | |
4. | "Seeking the Room with the Three Windows" | Bradfield, Richard Beak, Loz Williams | 4:05 |
5. | "Thirty Thousand Milk Bottles" | 4:34 | |
6. | "Under the Mimosa Tree" | Bradfield, Gavin Fitzjohn | 4:34 |
7. | "From the Hands of Violeta" | 5:26 | |
8. | "Without Knowing the End (Joan's Song)" | 3:11 | |
9. | "La Partida" | Jara | 4:05 |
10. | "The Last Song" | 5:16 | |
11. | "Santiago Sunrise" | 4:44 | |
Total length: | 48:20 |
Charts
Chart (2020) | Peak position |
---|---|
Irish Albums (OCC)[11] | 46 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[12] | 3 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[13] | 35 |
UK Albums (OCC)[3] | 6 |
References
- ^ a b c d e Clarke, Patrick (12 August 2020). "James Dean Bradfield – 'Even In Exile' album review". NME. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ Eede, Christian (2 July 2020). "James Dean Bradfield Details Solo Album, 'Even In Exile'". The Quietus. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ a b "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ Murray, Robin (5 August 2020). "James Dean Bradfield Launches Inspired By Jara Podcast". Clash. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- ^ "James Dean Bradfield releases 'Even In Exile'". Obscure Sound. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Wilding, Philip (23 September 2020). "Why James Dean Bradfield made an album inspired by a murdered Chilean activist". LouderSound. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ Crabtree, Steve. "Even In Exile by James Dean Bradfield - Review". On Yorkshire Magazine.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Even in Exile - James Dean Bradfield". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ a b Harris, Nick. "James Dean Bradfield - Even In Exile". DIY. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ a b Morris, Damien (16 August 2020). "James Dean Bradfield: Even in Exile review – a passionate tribute to Víctor Jara". The Observer. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – James Dean Bradfield – Even in Exile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
External links
- Even in Exile at Discogs (list of releases)
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- James Dean Bradfield
- Sean Moore
- Nicky Wire
- Generation Terrorists
- Gold Against the Soul
- The Holy Bible
- Everything Must Go
- This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours
- Know Your Enemy
- Lifeblood
- Send Away the Tigers
- Journal for Plague Lovers
- Postcards from a Young Man
- Rewind the Film
- Futurology
- Resistance Is Futile
- The Ultra Vivid Lament
- "Suicide Alley"
- "Motown Junk"
- "You Love Us (Heavenly Version)"
- "Stay Beautiful"
- "Love's Sweet Exile"/"Repeat"
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- "Roses in the Hospital"
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- "Australia"
- "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next"
- "The Everlasting"
- "You Stole the Sun from My Heart"
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- "The Masses Against the Classes"
- "So Why So Sad"
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- "Ocean Spray"
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- "There by the Grace of God"
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- "Empty Souls"
- "Underdogs"
- "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough"
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- "Indian Summer"
- "(It's Not War) Just the End of Love"
- "Some Kind of Nothingness"
- "Postcards from a Young Man"
- "This Is the Day"
- "Show Me the Wonder"
- "Anthem for a Lost Cause"
- "Walk Me to the Bridge"
- "Futurology"
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- "International Blue"
- "Distant Colours"
- "Dylan & Caitlin"
- "Liverpool Revisited"
- "Hold Me Like a Heaven"
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- "Rosebud"
- "4st 7lb"
- "Peeled Apples"
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- Louder Than War
- Forever Delayed
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- Even in Exile
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