Rewind The Film deals with the nature of growing older, unavoidable change and death, yet on the surface, this is the most accessible album the Manics have ever released.
Rewind the Film seems immediately poised for lost-classic status – for all its clumsiness and flaws, it’s the kind of album that wants you to let it sink in, or even gather dust, until you remember it’s there.
There's barely an electric guitar on the Manics' latest full length. Instead, it's lush strings, grand arrangements and Richard 'I'll Make Your Album Significantly More Brilliant' Hawley.
The Manics’ 11th album is a subtle, satisfying record that showcases their continuing ability to soar, albeit without digging anywhere near as deep as their politico-punk-pop totems
In the context of the present, it's the sound of a band growing old gracefully in reminiscent mood yet firmly at ease with their lot.
After having verified that these are the Manics indeed, I started wondering why they had to rewind the film and, although I couldn't reach a conclusion, I knew it wasn't the right time for such a move.
It's been said countless times, and with fair reason: the Manics have never been quite the same band they were with Richey on this planet. At least from a musical standpoint. But let's face it: when a close friend who was so integral to your sound and aesthetic disappears without explanation, what is one to do? No one could've begrudged the Manics for disbanding after this event, but they continued on, and to their extraordinary credit, they continued to make music that resonated with a larger ... read more
Another reinvention for the boys from Blackwood as they contemplate ageing and lost youth. Gone are the electrifying guitar riffs, to be replaced by a much more acoustic sound with heavy percussion. The results, though not universally successful, are satisfying enough to avoid submerging within MOR. For this reviewer, the album has moments where certain tracks become slow-burners, none more so than on the title track, with guest vocals from the incredible Richard Hawley. The second half of the ... read more
#6 | / | Q Magazine |
#27 | / | musicOMH |
#28 | / | Gigwise |
#28 | / | MOJO |
#32 | / | Drowned in Sound |
#45 | / | Uncut |