An excellent punk rock album featuring the last lyrics by the late great Richey Edwards. Key tracks for me are 'Peeled Apples', 'All Is Vanity', 'Me and Stephen Hawking', 'V.S.E.C' & 'Jackie Collins...'. JDB's vocals are excellent as always, Sean provides a colossal energy and drive to nearly every song, and Nicky puts in yet another great performance on bass as well as writing several melodies

This is the most underrated album of all time. An absolute masterpiece.

Best album i have ever heard. ever

I'll keep it brief - the fact that this wasn't nominated for best album of 2009 has made me lose faith in the Brit Awards for the rest of eternity.

love this album one of my favs

Every Track is a Classic

Nice to see the Manics back on form. Send away the tigers was excellent; modern Manics at their best work since Everything must go, but Journal is a real throwback to the early years and a welcome little gem

Yes it will get compared to the Holy Bible but thats not a bad album to compare it to is it?

Top stuff

Great to have the manics back, with attitude, an edge and in particular a return to the punk/new wave sound at which they've always excelled (welcome back, Sean).

Jackie Collins Existential Question Time is a good a song as they have ever recorded and most of the others here would not have disgraced their finest work, The Holy Bible.

The most difficult listen is, of course, William's Last Words. How they recorded it without "going through the loop" I'll never know - totally moving and painfully, excruciatingly sad - I'm not sure I can listen to it the whole way through again. But well done, lads, I think Richey would have been proud.

This is a triumphant return to the realms of the bible, no arguement there - and then at the sametime not? This album should and will stand on its own 2 feet. It's as if the manics have decided to face the spectre that has cast a shadow over them for over a decade and exercise the ghost, the result? One of the finest albulms of 2009 & a cast iron classic!

Richie will never be forgotten - RIP wherever you are...

wow what an album, and i thought the holy bible was their best untill i heard this, right from the first track (peeled apples) you are taken back to the raw punk energy of generation terrorists, then you hear track 7 (facing page : top left) and it just carries you on a wave and right back to the good old days when there were 4. in conclusion if you don't like this album or recognise it as a wake up call for all past present and future manics fans you must be deaf.

keep up the good work guys.

this album has literally taken me breath away, it is by far the album of the year so far and possibly manics greatest, makes send away the tigers seem tame and that was an awesome album. its officially my new favourite album of 2009 overtaking 21st century breakdown. absolutely breathtaking. my favourite tracks are :- peeled apples, jackie collins,me and stephen hawkings, she bathed herself in a bath of bleach, marlon jd,pretension/repulsion! and virginia state epiletic colony(absolutely adore this song makes me feel happy for some reason, its class!) buy buy buy.

Just pure vital music, which after the first listen will remain with you forever. The guys have raised their game once again in memory of their friend, and from the first moment to last they have done Richey and themselves proud. A unique and brilliant lyricist. A fantastic band.

Having been a fan of Send Away The Tigers and of the Manics' more pop-orientated songs (A Design For Life, If You Tolerate This...), I wasn't expecting to like this after hearing 'Jackie Collins...' on Jools Holland a few weeks back. How wrong I was. I took a chance and bought it, and it's one of the best purchases I've made in a long, long time. I've been bored of music for a while now, looking for something new and inspirational to listen to. This is it.

The music is superb, it's varied, dark in places, melodic and has some downright dirty guitar playing, and coupled with some outright strange (but incredibly clever and touching) lyrics, this is an album you'd be stupid to miss out on. Every song has its own charm, and the album's shortness makes it all the better. There's no rambling, wasted moments of music, fancy solos or long intros/outros, it's just pure gold throughout.

And 'William's Last Words' is an unexpected, but hugely moving and reflective song. It was created when Wire cut down words written by Edwards, and he has done it such justice; the music and his nervous, sad vocals round this off and make it a fitting tribute to the man who made this album possible in the first place.

If you're looking for an escape of the bland copy-cat twangy guitar-pop around these days, this will give you it, and so much more.

Currently in rock music bands seem to be getting softer (the killers, Razorlight etc...), which is fine as long as ypu keep the good guitar riffs, and dont make every song so soft. Manics have given us great riffs, here in soft and the harder songs. They have created an album of pure brilliance, without a bad song. With one of the best starts to an album i have every heard, the first 4 song are just amazing.

Peeled Apples 9/10

Jackie Collins Existential Question Time 10/10

Me and Stephan Hawking 10/10

This Joke Sport Severed 10/10 my personal favourite on the ablum, this is how a soft rock song should be done

Jounal for Plague Lovers 7/10

She Bathed Herself in a Bath of Bleach 8/10

Facing Page: Top Left 8/10

Marlon JD 7/10

Doors Closing Slowly 8/10

All is Vantity 9/10

Pretension/Repulsion 9/10

Virginia State Epileptic Colony 8/10

William's Last Words 7/10

Without a Doubt the best rock album in a every long time

The only Manics album that I can honestly say, truely maintains the standard set in 1995 by the Holy Bible. I have enjoyed all of their previous albums on their own merit, but I was genuinely shocked to find that this album (who even the band themselves have been trying to down play by not releasing any singles) is an equal to "The" Bible, lyrically (choice of Richey's lyrics I mean), musically and, more importantly the tone is perfect.

Obviously listen to it in full, but songs like "Peeled Apples", "Facing Page: Top Left", "She bathed herself...", "Pretension/Repulsion" and notably "Marlon J.D" are the kind of quality Manics songs no-one thought they'd hear the like of again

A stunning achievement. This now cements them as my favourite ever band (and I'm not a fanatical one either!). Richard James Edwards would definately approve!

..love em always have done,always will. oh and go see em live,

This is a great album and well worth the 5 stars it got from Q. Possibly MSP's finest, but it's just a shame that Nicky Wire is such an idiot sometimes.

Being a bit of a 'manics lost it when Richey died' person I was really excited about this album. It grabs you straight from the off with its holy bible-esk riffing. Ive only given it a few listens and im so impressed already. Its not as dark as holy bible, but just as exciting. The music works well with Richey's words. Im hoping they are gonna play at Glasto!

Found this album to be very middle of the road. A few hghlights, but nothing that I could call a 'masterpiece'. Seems to me that a lot of fans want this album to be something it is not just because of the origin of the lyrics. They have got better albums in my opinion.. shame.

you can't help but marvel at the wonder of Edward's creative madness. such beautiful lyrics accompanied by superb and catchy tunes by Nicky Wire and James Dean-Bradfield (not even sure if that's right!) definitely a quality buy

Being a long-time manics head I did miss Richey's lyrical input at times (how many songs about taking painkillers can Wire write?) Listening to the interplay between the equally complex lyrical foci and the astonishing guitar lines brought home why the Manics are not only the most intelligent and emotionally engaging band in the world but also surely the most powerful. 'Jackie Collins...' is stunning postmodern poetry; I doubt a better chorus has been written from an artistic point of view for a long long time. A warning for fellow longterm fans or indeed for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide: the closing 'William's Last Words' will be harder listening than anything on the Holy Bible...particularly the last line. Wire's finest musical moment-it shouldn't work but it does...almost too well. The whole thing is tight and I think Richey, despite his wanting the Manics to be Pantera meets Nine Inch Nails, would be pretty proud of this album.

p.s. Gilly who was knocking 'K.Y.E.': if you only listened to 'Ocean Spray', 'Found That Soul' or 'Dead Martyrs' once, you're just cutting off your nose to spite your face. They havent made a bad album; each has its own audience.

There isn't a single fault in this album. Wonderful lyrics delivered perfectly by JDB against what will be my soundtrack of 2009. Stunning work which Richie would be proud.

Lost for words more like. It's difficult to be objective when your a fan of a band, but this is something quite special.

I have to admit that i was filled with a sense of dread when i heard about this project. If this record isn't regarded as one of the most important pieces of work of the decade i'll eat a Jackie Collins novel!. Quite stunning really.

Glad to see 1 of the best U K bands are back!!

This is sure to be a cracking release!

Simply put this album is just brilliant, The Manics couldn't have done a better job with Ritchies lyrics. This is an album to be proud of. God bless Ritchie Edwards where ever you are.

Brilliant album. But where's the hidden track iTunes? I keep hearing about "Bag Lady" and it isn't here!

Whilst this album has moments of pure class, there are moments of discomfort. Unfortunately not because of any lyrical pictures Richey paints for us, more the slightly unfinished 6th form philosopher tone of some of them. Before I get leapt on, I am a huge Manics fan, and nothing would have given me greater pleasure than to have loved this album from top to bottom.... Facing Page: Top Left will probably become one of my favourite Manics tracks...but Know Your Enemy remains the Manics finest ....for me at least.....(I know most found it difficult, but with repeated listenings, there isn't a duff track on it,Gilly....except Miss Europa)....in the pantheon of Manics Albums, Journal sits about third.....no mean feat with a back catalogue like the Manics have...

This album is the best of 2009 no questions asked!

A really impressive record. Many of the songs are tinged with genuine sadness and if you're expecting a rerun of Holy Bible, I think you'll be disappointed. The white-hot anger of that record has been replaced with a deep sense of melancholy and loss. Let it be known though - this is still an album shot through with Richey Edwards' bleak vision - both fiercely witty and the red raw expression of a troubled man.

It is worth pointing, however, that James Dean Bradfield can still write hooks to die for - and this is what makes this album peculiarly accessible. One could say that, in respect of an album dedicated to a former band member, this is the Manics' answer to Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here' (but without the swooshing noises).

Excellent, and a fitting, beautiful tribute to a lost friend.

No other album sounds or feels like this. Lyrically its a magical tour through the thoughts of a fractured but uniquely intelligent mind. Mysically the band give a masterclass in peeled down but highly melodic rock. It feels to me like a blending of Everything Must Go and Holy Bible. Lyrically and Musically this puts every other contemporary British band to shame.

William's Last Words made me cry...Nicky's voice! so Beautiful!! The words Richey left behind will live on forever! Need I say more. Buy this album your life depends on it!!! The boys are back : )

From the first track of Peeled Apples to the last haunting voice of Nicky Wire on William's Last words...Total brilliance!

The Manics are back to show everyone how it's done. This album really does do Richey's lyrics justice and all the evidence here says that The Manics have found their true direction again.

Note to Ring-Pull who thinks their album Know Your Enemy is their finest hour....are you having a laugh? I'm a huge Manics fan and have been from Motown Junk and i couldn't bring myself to give that album repeated listens. Go and have your ears syringed!

The most important Band of the last Century are back This Album is Melodic, Frighting, Exciting and Emotional. It hits the spot that other Albums can't.

What a great album,well produced. A note to buyers and iTunes there is use of explicit language on two tracks.

Amazing! Gonna be on repeat forever at this rate!

Take the fantastic lyrics from the "Holy Bible", the emotional pull of "Everything Must Go" and the superb musical craft of later albums such as "Send Away the Tigers"....and you have Journal For Plague Lovers. It has the potential to be their finest work yet :)

Somewhere over the last few albums, I fell out of love with the Manics. The songs got ponderous, the energy seemed all gone and the band that produced those first three stunning albums seemed gone for ever. I bought Journal for Plague Lovers more in hope than expectation, and within 5 minutes I was sitting with a huge grin on my face; improbably the Manics have matched their early albums with an album whose intelligence, pace and energy sweep you along. I never thought they'd be this good again. Amazing.

This fantastic and well thought out album makes its predecessor (send away the tigers) seem rather tame. The genius behind Richey Manic's (Richard Edwards) lyrics is what makes this album an absolute gem...and a must buy at that. Every tune has been cleverly created to fit around every word. Without a doubt one of the finest albums of the decade. The Manics are back to their best!

The best Manics record since Holy Bible and one of my best records of 2009!

Great lyrics, wonderful guitars and a ballsy delivery by JDB.

Reminds me what a great band the Manics were(are) and makes the latest crop of boring shoe-gazing student bands sound totally irrelevant.

I Think this Album is a nice comeback from Manic Street Preachers, an under rated band.

With lyrics by Richie Manic, this feels like a follow up to The Holy Bible. A classic album

This is not the Holy Bible part 2. It's an album in it's own right. The tracks here are very short and the 14 songs only last 44 mins. The album starts at a fast pace with the first 3 songs all play out with loud guitars and drums but it's then a bit downhill from there. Not really what I was expecting. Having owned all the previous albums and singles I would rate this weaker than EMG & THB but stronger than KYE and Lifeblood. Also noticed they re use some lyrics from the song Picturesque.

finally, the Manics we originally fell in love with are back. its half way between GT and THB; fast, fierce and full of fire. and ever so slightly glam. plus there is clear longevity in both the music and lyrics here. it won't disappear into your itunes swamp within a week. nice to have you around again, Richey.

After first listening, I must say that I am impressed. I was not a big fan of the previous album, but it seems, in my opinion atleast, that the manics have returned to form. I urge you to buy it,you won't be dissapointed :-)

An album not to be missed pure Manic magic! Go download now!!!!

i've been a fan of the manics since the "generation terroists" era and have bought all their albums ever since, but with their last three albums "know your enemy", "lifeblood" and 2007s "send away the tigers" i felt a bit let down and thought their best days were over, but this record has turned that all around. When I first found out they were putting richeys lyrics to music i was a bit worrried, but they have managed to pull it off! some of these tracks seem like lost recordings from the "the holy bible" era such as "she bathed herself..." "all is vanity" "peeled apples". Though critics have been regarding it as The Holy Bible 2 it is so much more than that! as the holy bible was bleak, dark and dealt with subjects of anorexia, murder etc this album has it's upbeat moments with "jackie collins..." and "me and stephen hawking" and acoustic numbers like "this joke..." and facing page..." this album has a variety of styles and echoes different eras of the band, and depending on what particular era you may like, this album has something to please everyone. Download now!

this album is incredible... nuff said

A truly awesome album, Manics are BACK!!!

...and there back. A 4 piece again. I wanted to wake up happy, and this morning I did! Thier ninth beautiful life but certainly and hopefully not thier last. This album is another reminder that they exist alone, set apart from other bands, good bands, bands I love. The Manics create something else and I dont think I'm skilled enough to put it into words. So I wont.

The Manics do it once again. An amazing album. Nothng else to say!

Having spent the last decade despairing at the technical direction of this fanatastic band it fills me with pleasure to sit her after the first listen of this album and not really review it.

I have refused to look at the inlay card and analyse the lyrics left by edwards. I have listened. The possible scope otherwise is endless

The grit of bible meets the gloss of gold against the soul. This is simply wonderful.