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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Use British English|date=December 2012}}
| Name = Postcards from a Young Man
{{Infobox album
| Type = studio
| Artist = [[Manic Street Preachers]]
| name = Postcards from a Young Man
| Cover = Postcardsfromayoungman.jpg
| type = studio
| Released = 20 September 2010
| artist = [[Manic Street Preachers]]
| cover = Postcardsfromayoungman.jpg
| Recorded = Faster Studio, [[Cardiff]], [[Glamorgan]], [[Wales]], [[United Kingdom]], October 2009&nbsp;- June 2010
| Length = 44:24
| alt =
| released = 20 September 2010
| Genre = [[Alternative rock]]
| Length = 44:24
| recorded = October 2009 – June 2010
| venue =
| Label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| studio = Faster Studio in [[Cardiff]], [[Wales]]
| Producer = [[Dave Eringa]], Loz Williams, Manic Street Preachers
| Mixed By = [[Chris Lord-Alge]]
| genre = {{flatlist|
*[[Alternative rock]]
<!--Reviews no longer go in infoboxes-->
*[[power pop]]
| Last album = ''[[Journal for Plague Lovers]]''<br />(2009)
}}
| This album = '''''Postcards from a Young Man'''''<br />(2010)
| length = 43:48
| Next album = ''[[70 Songs Of Hatred And Failure]]''<br />(2011)
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| producer = {{flatlist|
* [[Dave Eringa]]
* Loz Williams
* Manic Street Preachers
}}
| prev_title = [[Journal for Plague Lovers]]
| prev_year = 2009
| next_title = [[National Treasures – The Complete Singles]]
| next_year = 2011
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Postcards from a Young Man
| type = studio
| single1 = [[(It's Not War) Just the End of Love]]
| single1date = 13 September 2010
| single2 = [[Some Kind of Nothingness]]
| single2date = 6 December 2010
| single3 = [[Postcards from a Young Man (song)|Postcards from a Young Man]]
| single3date = 28 February 2011
}}
}}
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = [[Rockfeedback]]
| rev1Score = (3/5)<ref name="Rockfeedback Review">{{cite web|last=Moran|first=Bethany |title=Rockfeedback Review: Manic Street Preachers - 'Postcards From A Young Man' (Columbia)|url=http://www.rockfeedback.com/review/4794/manic-street-preachers-postcards-from-a-young-man-columbia//11574|publisher=Rockfeedback|accessdate=21 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev2 = [[Drowned in Sound]]
| rev2Score = (6/10)<ref name="DISR">{{cite web|last= Lukowski|first=Andrzej|title= Manic Street Preachers Postcards from a Young Man|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/15682/reviews/4141092|publisher=Drowned in sound|accessdate=21 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev3 = [[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]
| rev3Score = (8/10)<ref name="ClashR">{{cite web|last=James|first=Gareth |title=Manic Street Preachers - Postcards from a Young Man|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/manic-street-preachers-postcards-from-a-young-man|publisher=Clash|accessdate=21 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev4 = [[BBC]]
| rev4Score = (favourable)<ref name="BBCR">{{cite web|last=McLaren|first=James|title=Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From A Young Man review|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/09/manic-street-preachers-postcards-from-a-young-man.shtml|publisher=BBC - Wales Music|accessdate=21 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev5 = [[The Guardian]]
| rev5Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Guardianr">{{cite web|last=McLaren|first=James |title=Manic Street Preachers: Postcards from a Young Man|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/sep/16/manic-street-preachers-postcards-young|publisher=Guardian|accessdate=21 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev6 = [[The Independent]]
| rev6Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="IndependentR">{{cite web|last=Gill|first=Andy |title=Album: Manic Street Preachers, Postcards from a Young Man (Columbia)|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-manic-street-preachers-postcards-from-a-young-man-columbia-2081265.html|publisher=The Independent|accessdate=21 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev7 = [[The Daily Telegraph]]
| rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Telegraph.co.uk">{{cite web|last=Perry|first=Andrew|title=Manic Street Preachers: Postcards From a Young Man, CD review|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturecritics/andrewperry/8009887/Manic-Street-Preachers-Postcards-From-a-Young-Man-CD-review.html|publisher=Telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=21 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev8 = [[The Fly (magazine)|The Fly]]
| rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="theflyR">{{cite web|last=Doherty|first=Niall |title=Album Review: Manic Street Preachers|url=http://www.the-fly.co.uk/words/reviews/album-reviews/8477/album-review:-manic-street-preachers|publisher=Thefly.co.uk|accessdate=21 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev11 = [[Slant Magazine]]
| rev11Score = {{Rating|3.0|5}}<ref name="slantR">{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Huw |title=Manic Street Preachers: Postcards From A Young Man | Music Review | Slant Magazine |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/manic-street-preachers-postcards-from-a-young-man/2260|publisher=SlantMagazine.com|accessdate=25 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev9 = [[The Skinny (magazine)|The Skinny]]
| rev9Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="theskinnyr">{{cite web|last=Buckle|first=Chris |title=Manic Street Preachers – Postcards From A Young Man|url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/100232-manic-street-preachers-postcards-from-a-young-man|publisher=The Skinny|accessdate=21 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev10 = [[musicOMH]]
| rev10Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="MusicOHMr">{{cite web|last=Burgess|first=Andrew |title=Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From A Young Man|url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/manic-street-preachers-3_0910.htm|publisher=MusicOHM|accessdate=21 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev11 = [[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]
| rev11Score = {{Rating|7.5|10}}<ref name="pitchforkr">{{cite web|last=Tangari|first=Joe |title=Manic Street Preachers: Postcards From A Young Man|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14665-postcards-from-a-young-man|publisher=Pitchfork Media|accessdate=27 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev12 = [[Allmusic]]
| rev12Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="allmusicr">{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas |title=Manic Street Preachers: Postcards From A Young Man|url=http://allmusic.com/album/postcards-from-a-young-man-r1956054/review|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=12 October 2010}}</ref>
| rev13 = [[NME]]
| rev13Score = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref name="NME">{{cite web|last=Denney|first=Alex |title=Manic Street Preachers: Postcards From A Young Man|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/manic-street-preachers/11574=20 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev14 = [[GOD]]
| rev14Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="GOD">{{cite web|last=Denney|first=Alex |title=Manic Street Preachers: Postcards From A Young Man|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/manic-street-preachers/11574=20 September 2010}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Postcards from a Young Man''''' is the tenth studio album by the [[alternative rock]] band [[Manic Street Preachers]], which reached the number 3 spot on the UK Charts. The Manics began recording the album (provisionally titled ''It's Not War - Just the End of Love'') in October 2009 at their Faster Studio in [[Cardiff]]. Released on 20 September 2010, the album was supported by the Manics' most extensive tour of the UK to date.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manicstreetpreachers.com/global/news/global/2010/06/01/postcards_from_a_young_man |title=Postcards From A Young Man |author= |date= |work= |publisher=Manic Street Preachers |accessdate=14 June 2010}}</ref> [[James Dean Bradfield]] and [[Nicky Wire]] have both referred to the album as "one last shot at mass communication"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manicstreetpreachers.com/assets/images/default/letters/postcard_june2010.png |title=postcard_june2010.png |author= |date= |work= |publisher=Manic Street Preachers |accessdate=14 June 2010| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5qV9l8lx3 | archivedate=14 June 2010}}</ref>.


'''''Postcards from a Young Man''''' is the tenth studio album by [[Wales|Welsh]] [[alternative rock]] band [[Manic Street Preachers]], released on 20 September 2010 by [[Columbia Records]].
==Background==
In an interview for the ''NME'', Bradfield said that "We're going for big radio hits on this one ... It isn't a follow-up to ''[[Journal for Plague Lovers]]''."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/manic-street-preachers/51309 |title=Manic Street Preachers announce UK tour and new album details |author= |date=1 June 2010 |work= |publisher=NME |accessdate=14 June 2010| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5qV9npbZy | archivedate=14 June 2010}}</ref> Nicky Wire has said, "We've always been about infiltrating the mainstream. It was a conscious decision this time to want to hear ourselves on the radio. Our mantra at the start was, 'If you've got something to say, say it to as many people as possible'."<ref name="DUFF">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a223960/ex-gnr-bassist-features-on-new-manics-lp.html?rss |title=Ex-GN'R bassist features on new Manics LP |author=Mayer Nissim |date=7 June 2010 |work= |publisher=digital spy |accessdate=14 June 2010| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5qV9rj6no | archivedate=14 June 2010}}</ref> In pre-release interviews, Wire also compared the album to the [[Aerosmith]] album ''[[Pump (album)|Pump]]'', saying that "It's going to be an amazing album...''[[Send Away the Tigers]]'' was ''[[Permanent Vacation (album)|Permanent Vacation]],'' this next one is our ''Pump.''"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spinnermusic.co.uk/2010/05/26/manic-street-preachers-look-to-aerosmith/ |title=Manic Street Preachers Look to Aerosmith on New Album |author=Chris Cope |date=26 May 2010 |work= |publisher=spinner UK |accessdate=14 June 2010| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5qV9rrqcO | archivedate=14 June 2010}}</ref>


The band described the album to be "one last shot at mass communication". The album achieved commercial and critical success, reaching the number 3 spot on the UK charts and was supported by the Manics' most extensive tour of the UK to date.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manicstreetpreachers.com/global/news/global/2010/06/01/postcards_from_a_young_man |title=Postcards From A Young Man |website=manicstreetpreachers.com |access-date=16 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306162225/http://www.manicstreetpreachers.com/global/news/global/2010/06/01/postcards_from_a_young_man |archive-date=6 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In July 2009, Wire said that the band's forthcoming album would "be [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] [[Tamla Motown]]. [[Van Halen]] playing [[The Supremes]]! I know there's a lot of creativity in us and obviously because I didn't write lyrics on the last record, I've got tons of words done."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/manic-street-preachers-new-direction_1110195 |title=Manic Street Preachers - Manic Street Preachers' New Direction |author= |date=20 July 2009 |work= |publisher=contactmusic.com |accessdate=14 June 2010| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5qV9s1kBn | archivedate=14 June 2010}}</ref> Manics biographer [[Simon Price]] reacted to Nicky's announcement with amusement: 'Heavy metal Motown? I’ll believe it when I hear it. That Nicky Wire certainly can talk a good game. The thing is with those three lads is they'll sit around before writing any songs and come up with all these wildly juxtaposing ideas and styles, all of which sound great in theory, but when they actually start working towards them it always comes across sounding very much like a Manics record ... I remember just before the ''[[Lifeblood]]'' album came out in 2004 Nicky had been telling me it was going to sound like [[Goldfrapp]]-meets-late ’70s era [[David Bowie]]. And I could see what he meant, but when I actually heard it just reminded me of a more subdued version of their other stuff. In a good way though. A lot of the time Nicky goes public with these bold statements and then it comes down to it, it's up to James to try and back them up. That's a lot of pressure to put one person under and sometimes I’m positive James is at home half the time going, "Oh no, what have you said this time?".'<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/07/22/manics-signal-new-direction-for-next-album-91466-24210545/ |title=Manics signal new direction for next album |author=Nathan Bevan |date=22 July 2009 |work= |publisher=WalesOnline.co.uk |accessdate=14 June 2010| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5qV9s8vI1 | archivedate=14 June 2010}}</ref>


== Background ==
Ex-[[Guns N' Roses]] bassist [[Duff McKagan]] guests on one of the album's songs, "A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun," and four other tracks on the album feature a [[gospel choir]].<ref name="DUFF" /> On their website on 24 June 2010, the Manics posted the message: "Magical day in Cardiff: [[Ian McCulloch (singer)|Ian McCulloch]] singing duet & [[John Cale]] playing on a new Manics track in LA.<ref>[http://www.manicstreetpreachers.com/global/news/global/2010/06/24/magical_day_in_cardiff]</ref> Of the album's lead single, "[[(It's Not War) Just the End of Love]]," Nicky Wire claimed: "I believe in the tactile nature of rock 'n' roll. There's a generation missing out on what music meant to us...You can only elaborate on the stuff that compels you to. But "It's Not War..." is kind of saying, "Alright, we're not 18, but even at 40 the rage is still there"."<ref name="DUFF" />
The Manics began recording the album (provisionally titled ''It's Not War – Just the End of Love'') in October 2009 at their Faster Studio in [[Cardiff]] and finished in June 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manicstreetpreachers.com/assets/images/default/letters/postcard_june2010.png|title=postcard_june2010.png|website=manicstreetpreachers.com|access-date=16 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306161938/http://www.manicstreetpreachers.com/assets/images/default/letters/postcard_june2010.png|archive-date=6 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> In an interview for ''[[NME]]'', Bradfield said "We're going for big radio hits on this one [...] It isn't a follow-up to ''[[Journal for Plague Lovers]]''."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/manic-street-preachers/51309 |title=Manic Street Preachers Announce UK Tour and New Album Details |date=1 June 2010 |website=[[NME]]|access-date=16 July 2012}}</ref> Nicky Wire has said "We've always been about infiltrating the mainstream. It was a conscious decision this time to want to hear ourselves on the radio. Our mantra at the start was 'If you've got something to say, say it to as many people as possible'."<ref name="DUFF">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a223960/ex-gnr-bassist-features-on-new-manics-lp.html?rss |title=Ex-GN'R Bassist Features on New Manics LP |last=Nissim |first=Mayer |date=7 June 2010 |website=[[Digital Spy]] |access-date=16 July 2012}}</ref> In pre-release interviews Wire also compared the album to the [[Aerosmith]] album ''[[Pump (album)|Pump]]'', saying that "it's going to be an amazing album... ''[[Send Away the Tigers]]'' was ''[[Permanent Vacation (Aerosmith album)|Permanent Vacation]]''; this next one is our ''Pump''."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spinnermusic.co.uk/2010/05/26/manic-street-preachers-look-to-aerosmith/ |title=Manic Street Preachers Look to Aerosmith on New Album |last=Cope |first=Chris |date=26 May 2010 |website=spinnermusic.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602060240/http://www.spinnermusic.co.uk/2010/05/26/manic-street-preachers-look-to-aerosmith |archive-date=2 June 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=16 July 2012}}</ref>


In July 2009 Wire said that the band's forthcoming album would "be [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] [[Motown|Tamla Motown]]. [[Van Halen]] playing [[The Supremes]]! I know there's a lot of creativity in us and obviously because I didn't write lyrics on the last record I've got tons of words done."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/manic-street-preachers-new-direction_1110195 |title=Manic Street Preachers - Manic Street Preachers' New Direction |date=20 July 2009 |website=contactmusic.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120181820/http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/manic-street-preachers-new-direction_1110195 |archive-date=20 November 2010 |url-status=live |access-date=14 June 2010}}</ref> Manics biographer [[Simon Price]] reacted to Nicky's announcement with amusement: 'Heavy metal Motown? I’ll believe it when I hear it. That Nicky Wire certainly can talk a good game. The thing is with those three lads is they'll sit around before writing any songs and come up with all these wildly juxtaposing ideas and styles, all of which sound great in theory, but when they actually start working towards them it always comes across sounding very much like a Manics record [...] I remember just before the ''[[Lifeblood (album)|Lifeblood]]'' album came out in 2004 Nicky had been telling me it was going to sound like [[Goldfrapp]]-meets-late '70s era [[David Bowie]]. And I could see what he meant, but when I actually heard it just reminded me of a more subdued version of their other stuff. In a good way though. A lot of the time Nicky goes public with these bold statements and then it comes down to it, it's up to James to try and back them up. That's a lot of pressure to put one person under and sometimes I’m positive James is at home half the time going "Oh no, what have you said this time?". '<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/07/22/manics-signal-new-direction-for-next-album-91466-24210545/ |title=Manics signal new direction for next album |author=Nathan Bevan |date=22 July 2009 |publisher=WalesOnline.co.uk |access-date=14 June 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528051959/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/07/22/manics-signal-new-direction-for-next-album-91466-24210545/ |url-status=live | archive-date=28 May 2010}}</ref>
''Postcards from a Young Man'' was recorded with producer (and longtime Manics collaborator) [[Dave Eringa]] and was mixed in America by [[Chris Lord-Alge]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/leisure/latest/8202090.Preview__Manic_Street_Preachers_in_Blackburn/ |title=Preview: Manic Street Preachers in Blackburn |author= |date=4 June 2010 |work= |publisher=Lancashire Telegraph |accessdate=14 June 2010| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5qV9sHBys | archivedate=14 June 2010}}</ref> It was released in a standard version, 2 CD deluxe version, and limited edition box set.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/15416916/Manic-Street-Preachers-Postcards-From-A-Young-Man/Product.html |title=Postcards From A Young Man (Deluxe Edition) |author= |date= |work= |publisher=Play.com |accessdate=14 June 2010| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5qVAQsvIa | archivedate=14 June 2010}}</ref> The album cover art uses a black and white photograph of British actor [[Tim Roth]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indie-rock.it/news_look.php?id=5170 |title=Nuovo dei Manics a settembre |author= |date=6 June 2010 |work= |publisher=Indie-Rock |accessdate=14 June 2010|Language=Italian| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5qV9sUGe1 | archivedate=14 June 2010}}</ref>


Ex-[[Guns N' Roses]] bassist [[Duff McKagan]] guests on one of the album's songs, "A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun", and four other tracks on the album feature a [[gospel choir]].<ref name="DUFF" /> On their website on 24 June 2010 the Manics posted the message "Magical day in Cardiff: [[Ian McCulloch (singer)|Ian McCulloch]] singing duet & [[John Cale]] playing on a new Manics track in LA."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.manicstreetpreachers.com/global/news/global/2010/06/24/magical_day_in_cardiff |title=Manic Street Preachers / Official News (GLOBAL) / Magical Day in Cardiff |access-date=24 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627120108/http://www.manicstreetpreachers.com/global/news/global/2010/06/24/magical_day_in_cardiff |archive-date=27 June 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Of the album's lead single, "[[(It's Not War) Just the End of Love]]", Nicky Wire claimed "I believe in the tactile nature of rock 'n' roll. There's a generation missing out on what music meant to us... You can only elaborate on the stuff that compels you to. But 'It's Not War' is kind of saying 'Alright, we're not 18, but even at 40 the rage is still there'."<ref name="DUFF" />
The album went straight into the UK album charts at #3. In January 2011 the album was certified Gold status in the UK. The album was met with very good reviews from critics and fans described it as "Manics back at their best!".


''Postcards from a Young Man'' was recorded with producer and longtime Manics collaborator [[Dave Eringa]] and was mixed in America by [[Chris Lord-Alge]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/leisure/latest/8202090.Preview__Manic_Street_Preachers_in_Blackburn/ |title=Preview: Manic Street Preachers in Blackburn |date=4 June 2010 |website=Lancashire Telegraph |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003021835/http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/leisure/latest/8202090.Preview__Manic_Street_Preachers_in_Blackburn/ |archive-date=3 October 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=14 June 2010}}</ref> The album cover art uses a black and white photograph of British actor [[Tim Roth]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indie-rock.it/news_look.php?id=5170 |title=Nuovo dei Manics a settembre |date=6 June 2010 |publisher=Indie-Rock |access-date=14 June 2010 |language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722035740/http://www.indie-rock.it/news_look.php?id=5170 |archive-date=22 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Charts ==

{| class="wikitable"
Stylistically, the album is regarded as a foray into Seventies-style [[Album-oriented rock|AOR]] and [[power-pop]],<ref name="dis"/> as well as a [[Pop music|pop]] sound.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.clashmusic.com/features/manic-street-preachers-the-complete-guide | title=Manic Street Preachers: The Complete Guide | work=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]] | date=18 June 2014 | access-date=13 March 2016 | author=James, Gareth}}</ref>
!align="left" width="180"|Chart (2010)

!align="left"|Peak<br />position
==Release==

The album was released on 20 September 2010, going straight into the [[UK Album Charts]] at number 3. It was released in a standard version, two-disc deluxe version and limited edition box set.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/15416916/Manic-Street-Preachers-Postcards-From-A-Young-Man/Product.html |title=Postcards From A Young Man (Deluxe Edition) |website=Play.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022063312/http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/15416916/Manic-Street-Preachers-Postcards-From-A-Young-Man/Product.html |archive-date=22 October 2010 |access-date=14 June 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In January 2011 the album achieved [[RIAA certification|Gold]] status (100,000 copies) in the UK. The album reached an astonishing chart position in Greece, entering at number 8, and it also charted within the Top 20 in Czech Republic, Ireland and in Finland.

The album was promoted by the single "[[(It's Not War) Just the End of Love]]", which peaked on number 28 in the [[UK Singles Chart]], their lowest charting single since 1994's "[[She Is Suffering]]". The second single of the album, "[[Some Kind of Nothingness]]", featured [[Echo & the Bunnymen]] frontman [[Ian McCulloch (singer)|Ian McCulloch]] and entered the UK singles chart at number 44, making it the first ever Manics single to not make the Top 40 since they signed to Sony in 1991. The third and last single was the title track "[[Postcards from a Young Man (song)|Postcards from a Young Man]]".

== Reception ==
{{Music ratings
|MC = 76/100<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/postcards-from-a-young-man/manic-street-preachers/critic-reviews |title=Critic Reviews for Postcards From a Young Man|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|date=2010-09-21 |access-date=2012-11-27}}</ref>
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="allmusicr">{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |title=Postcards from a Young Man - Manic Street Preachers : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=postcards-from-a-young-man-mw0002033083|pure_url=yes}} |publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 July 2012}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]''
| rev2Score = 8/10<ref name="ClashR">{{cite web |last=James |first=Gareth |title=Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From A Young Man |url=http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/manic-street-preachers-postcards-from-a-young-man |date=21 September 2010 |website=[[Clash (magazine)|clashmusic.com]] |access-date=16 July 2012}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Telegraph.co. uk">{{cite web |last=Perry |first=Andrew |title=Manic Street Preachers: Postcards From a Young Man, CD review |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturecritics/andrewperry/8009887/Manic-Street-Preachers-Postcards-From-a-Young-Man-CD-review.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918123534/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturecritics/andrewperry/8009887/Manic-Street-Preachers-Postcards-From-a-Young-Man-CD-review.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 September 2010 |date=17 September 2010 |website=[[The Daily Telegraph|telegraph.co.uk]] |access-date=16 July 2012}}</ref>
| rev4 = [[Drowned in Sound]]
| rev4Score = 6/10<ref name="dis">{{cite web |url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/15682/reviews/4141092 |title=Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From a Young Man |last=Lukowski |first=Andrzej |date=21 September 2010 |work=[[Drowned in Sound]] |access-date=27 November 2012 |archive-date=24 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124121655/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/15682/reviews/4141092 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev5Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Guardianr">{{cite web |last=McLaren |first=James |title=Manic Street Preachers: Postcards from a Young Man |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/sep/16/manic-street-preachers-postcards-young |website=[[The Guardian|guardian.co.uk]] |access-date=16 July 2012 |date=16 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[The Independent]]''
| rev6Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="IndependentR">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-manic-street-preachers-postcards-from-a-young-man-columbia-2081265.html |title=Album: Manic Street Preachers, Postcards from a Card (Columbia) |last=Gill |first=Andy |date=17 September 2010 |website=[[The Independent|independent.co.uk]] |access-date=16 July 2012}}</ref>
| rev7 = [[musicOMH]]
| rev7Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="MusicOHMr">{{cite web|last=Burgess|first=Andrew |title=Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From A Young Man |url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/manic-street-preachers-3_0910.htm|publisher=[[MusicOMH]]|access-date=21 September 2010}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev8Score = 7/10<ref name="GOD">{{cite web |last=Denney |first=Alex |title=NME Album Reviews - Album Review: Manic Street Preachers - 'Postcards From A Young Man' (Columbia) |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/manic-street-preachers/11574 |date=20 September 2010 |website=[[NME|nme.com]] |access-date=16 July 2012}}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev9Score = 7.5/10<ref name="pitchforkr">{{cite web |last=Tangari |first=Joe |title=Manic Street Preachers: Postcards From a Young Man |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14665-postcards-from-a-young-man |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=16 July 2012}}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
| rev10Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="uncutR">{{cite journal |last=Quantick |first=David |title=Manic Street Preachers - Postcards from a Young Man |url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/manic-street-preachers/manic-street-preachers-postcards-from-a-young-man-review |date=October 2010 |page=93 |journal=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]] |access-date=30 November 2012}}</ref>
}}

The album was met with positive reviews from critics, holding a score of 76/100 on review aggregator website [[Metacritic]] based on sixteen mainstream critics reviews.

[[AllMusic]] made a very positive review of the album with a rating of 4.5/5, saying that "everything is bigger than usual", finishing with "All this bustle winds up being the rarest of things for the Manics: it is fun. Granted, it is serious-minded fun with ambition, but with Manic Street Preachers you take fun whenever you can get it, and they've never sounded as ebullient as they do here."<ref name="allmusicr">{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |title=Postcards from a Young Man - Manic Street Preachers : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=postcards-from-a-young-man-mw0002033083|pure_url=yes}} |publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 July 2012}}</ref>

[[The Guardian]] rated the album with a 4 out of 5 stating: "This is what the Manic Street Preachers do. As it plays, you're struck by the fact that no one else does anything like it: reason enough for the Manic Street Preachers' continued existence."

[[NME]] gave a positive review to the album saying: "Among ''Postcards from a Young Man''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s several achievements is that it makes the '90s sound like they weren't an appalling place to be. It was never likely to best ''Everything Must Go''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s bravura passion play, but then again, the Manics' 10th offensive is a more playful beast than that - poignant, joyful and above all really, really loud."

[[Drowned in Sound]] gave an average score of 6/10 to the album: "It's an album which is self-aware enough to include, late on, a song called "All We Make Is Entertainment", and to end with another called "Don't Be Evil", an acknowledgement, perhaps, that that's all you can ask of a rock'n'roll band: refrain from actively making life worse. For 20 years, Manic Street Preachers have been making life better. They shouldn't worry. But if they didn't worry, what else would they do?"

[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]] rated the album with a 7.5/10 and Joe Tangari gave his opinion about the album, saying that: "While I wouldn't say that ''Postcards from a Young Man'' is quite the late-career masterstroke ''Journal for Plague Lovers'' was, it is still a product of a re-energized band. Whether or not it actually garners them the hits and mass audience they're aiming for (and at least in Britain, it seems inconceivable that it won't), they've managed to make an inviting, populist album that deserves the attention. It's maybe not quite heavy metal Tamla Motown, but it is Manic Street Preachers, and here, that's enough."

== Track listing ==
{{Track listing
| all_music = [[James Dean Bradfield]] and [[Sean Moore (musician)|Sean Moore]], except where noted
| all_lyrics = [[Nicky Wire]]
| total_length = 43:48
| title1 = [[(It's Not War) Just the End of Love]]
| length1 = 3:28
| title2 = [[Postcards from a Young Man (song)|Postcards from a Young Man]]
| length2 = 3:35
| title3 = [[Some Kind of Nothingness]]
| note3 = featuring [[Ian McCulloch (singer)|Ian McCulloch]]
| music3 = Wire
| length3 = 3:50
| title4 = The Descent (Pages 1 & 2)
| length4 = 3:27
| title5 = Hazelton Avenue
| length5 = 3:23
| title6 = Auto-Intoxication
| note6 = featuring [[John Cale]]
| length6 = 3:47
| title7 = Golden Platitudes
| length7 = 4:23
| title8 = I Think I Found It
| lyrics8 = Bradfield
| length8 = 3:06
| title9 = A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun
| note9 = featuring [[Duff McKagan]]
| length9 = 3:39
| title10 = All We Make Is Entertainment
| length10 = 4:15
| title11 = The Future Has Been Here 4Ever
| length11 = 3:38
| title12 = Don't Be Evil
| length12 = 3:18
}}
{{Track listing
| total_length = 49:45
| headline = Japan bonus tracks
| title13 = Red Rubber
| length13 = 2:57
| title14 = Evidence Against Myself
| length14 = 3:00
}}
{{Track listing
| total_length = 43:10
| headline = Deluxe Edition bonus disc: Original Demos
| title1 = (It's Not War) Just the End of Love
| note1 = demo
| length1 = 3:29
| title2 = Postcards from a Young Man
| note2 = demo
| length2 = 3:32
| title3 = Some Kind of Nothingness
| note3 = demo
| length3 = 3:56
| title4 = The Descent (Pages 1 & 2)
| note4 = demo
| length4 = 3:23
| title5 = Hazelton Avenue
| note5 = demo
| length5 = 3:04
| title6 = Auto-Intoxication
| note6 = demo
| length6 = 3:48
| title7 = Golden Platitudes
| note7 = demo
| length7 = 4:21
| title8 = I Think I Found It
| note8 = demo
| length8 = 3:06
| title9 = A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun
| note9 = demo
| length9 = 3:31
| title10 = All We Make Is Entertainment
| note10 = demo
| length10 = 3:42
| title11 = The Future Has Been Here 4 Ever
| note11 = demo
| length11 = 3:46
| title12 = Don't Be Evil
| note12 = demo
| length12 = 3:27
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Deluxe Box Set Edition bonus cassette: Original Demos
| title13 = (It's Not War) Just the End of Love
| note13 = Nicky Wire original demo
| length13 = 3:29
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Deluxe Box Set Edition bonus DVD
| title14 = Making of Postcards from a Young Man
| note14 = documentary
| length14 = 30:00
}}

== Personnel ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Manic Street Preachers'''
* [[James Dean Bradfield]] – lead vocals, [[lead guitar|lead]] and [[rhythm guitar]], [[mandola]] on "I Think I Found It"
* [[Sean Moore (musician)|Sean Moore]] – drums, percussion, trumpet
* [[Nicky Wire]] – bass guitar, acoustic guitar, lead vocals on "The Future Has Been Here 4Ever", backing vocals

'''Additional musicians'''
* [[Ian McCulloch (singer)|Ian McCulloch]] – co-lead vocals on "Some Kind of Nothingness"
* [[John Cale]] – keyboards and noise on "Auto-Intoxication"
* [[Duff McKagan]] – bass guitar on "A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun"
* Loz Williams – piano, [[Hammond organ]], [[Mellotron]]
* Nick Naysmith – piano and Hammond organ
* Catrin Wyn Southall – vocal arrangement and backing vocals
* Melissa Henry – backing vocals
* Osian Rowlands – backing vocals
* Gareth Treseder – backing vocals
* Fflur Rowlands – backing vocals
* Roland George – backing vocals
* Aled Powys Williams – backing vocals
* Andy Walters – string arrangement and strings
* Joanna Walters – strings
* Carly Worsford – strings
* Bernard Kane – strings
* Simon Howes – strings
* Nathan Stone – strings
* Richard Phillips – strings
* Claudine Liddington – strings

{{col-2}}
'''Technical personnel'''
* [[Dave Eringa]] – [[record producer|production]], [[audio engineering|engineering]], mixing on "The Future Has Been Here 4Ever"
* Loz Williams – engineering
* [[Chris Lord-Alge]] – [[audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]]
* [[Tom Elmhirst]] – mixing on "Golden Pladitudes"
* [[Howie Weinberg]] – [[audio mastering|mastering]]
* Nicky Wire – artwork
* Steve Stacey – artwork
* Glenn Lutchford – front cover photograph of [[Tim Roth]]
{{col-end}}

== Charts and certifications ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

=== Weekly charts ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Weekly chart performance for ''Postcards from a Young Man''
! scope="col"| Chart (2010)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|55|artist=Manic Street Preachers|album=Postcards from a Young Man|rowheader=true|access-date=18 November 2013}}
|align="left"|Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)
|align="center"|55
|-
|-
{{album chart|Czech|10|artist=Manic Street Preachers|album=Postcards from a Young Man|rowheader=true|access-date=18 November 2013}}
|align="left"|Dutch Albums Chart<ref>[http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?key=108567&cat=a GfK Dutch Charts]</ref>
|align="center"|62
|-
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|62|artist=Manic Street Preachers|album=Postcards from a Young Man|rowheader=true|access-date=18 November 2013}}
|align="left"|Finnish Albums Chart<ref>[http://www.yle.fi/lista/listat/tuote.php?id=9398 Suomen virallinen lista]</ref>
|align="center"|20
|-
|-
{{album chart|Finland|20|artist=Manic Street Preachers|album=Postcards from a Young Man|rowheader=true|access-date=18 November 2013}}
|align="left"|German Album Charts
|align="center"|65
|-
|-
{{album chart|Germany|65|artist=Manic Street Preachers|date=2010-10-02|rowheader=true|access-date=18 November 2013}}
|align="left"|Greek Album Charts<ref>[http://greekcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Manic+Street+Preachers&titel=Postcards+From+A+Young+Man&cat=a Greek Album Charts]</ref>
|align="center"|8
|-
|-
|align="left|Spanish Album Charts<ref>[http://spanishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Manic+Street+Preachers&titel=Postcards+From+A+Young+Man&cat=a Spanish Album Charts]</ref>
{{album chart|Greece|8|artist=Manic Street Preachers|album=Postcards from a Young Man|rowheader=true|access-date=18 November 2013}}
|align="center"|61
|-
|-
{{album chart|Ireland2|13|artist=Manic Street Preachers|rowheader=true|access-date=14 January 2024}}
|align="left"|Swedish Albums Chart<ref>[http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Manic+Street+Preachers&titel=Postcards+From+A+Young+Man&cat=a Swedish Album Charts]</ref>
|align="center"|45
|-
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|2|date=20100926|rowheader=true|access-date=14 January 2024}}
|align="left"|Swiss Album Charts<ref>[http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Manic+Street+Preachers&titel=Postcards+From+A+Young+Man&cat=a Swiss Album Charts]</ref>
|align="center"|88
|-
|-
{{album chart|Spain|61|artist=Manic Street Preachers|album=Postcards from a Young Man|rowheader=true|access-date=18 November 2013}}
|align="left"|UK Album Chart<ref>[http://www.theofficialcharts.com/archive-chart/_/3/2010-10-02/ The Official UK Charts Company]</ref>
|align="center"|3
|-
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|45|artist=Manic Street Preachers|album=Postcards from a Young Man|rowheader=true|access-date=18 November 2013}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|87|artist=Manic Street Preachers|date=2010-10-02|rowheader=true|access-date=18 November 2013}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|3|date=20100926|rowheader=true|access-date=14 January 2024}}
|}
|}
{{col-2}}


=== Year-end charts ===
==Tracklisting==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
The official tracklisting is as follows:<ref>http://www.sonymusic.co.uk/news/17852//</ref> <ref>http://www.manicstreetpreachers.com/global/news/global/2010/07/26/new_single_details_and_album_tracklisting</ref>
|+Year-end chart performance for ''Postcards from a Young Man''
! scope="col"| Chart (2010)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/UKChartsPlusEOY2010.pdf|title=End of Year 2010|publisher=[[UKChartsPlus]]|access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center"|141
|}


=== Certifications ===
All tracks written by Bradfield/Moore (music) and Wire (lyrics), unless otherwise noted.
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Postcards from a Young Man''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2010|artist=Manic Street Preachers|title=Postcards From A Young Man|access-date=16 July 2014|certyear=2011|id=8719-120-2}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}
{{col-end}}


== References ==
# "[[(It's Not War) Just the End of Love]]"&nbsp;– 3:32
# "[[Postcards from a Young Man (song)|Postcards from a Young Man]]"&nbsp;– 3:39
# "[[Some Kind of Nothingness]]"&nbsp;– 3:52 (featuring [[Ian McCulloch (singer)|Ian McCulloch]], music by Wire)
# "The Descent (Pages 1 & 2)"&nbsp;– 3:30
# "Hazelton Avenue"&nbsp;– 3:27
# "Auto-Intoxication"&nbsp;– 3:52 (featuring [[John Cale]])
# "Golden Platitudes"&nbsp;– 4:28
# "I Think I Found It"&nbsp;– 3:10 (Lyrics by Bradfield)
# "A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun"&nbsp;– 3:43 (featuring [[Duff McKagan]])
# "All We Make Is Entertainment"&nbsp;– 4:18
# "The Future Has Been Here 4 Ever"&nbsp;– 3:42
# "Don't Be Evil"&nbsp;– 3:18
# "Red Rubber"&nbsp; [Japan only]
# "Evidence Against Myself"&nbsp; [Japan only]


{{reflist|30em}}


== External links ==
Deluxe Limited Edition - CD2 Demos.
<!-- This is a licensed stream for the album, which is allowed under Wikipedia polices -->
Tracklisting as above, excluding the two Japan only tracks (later released as b-sides).
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzlcNCFTysrsZQeOpLt5uiTrHFBXGDfdH ''Postcards from a Young Man''] at [[YouTube]] (streamed copy where licensed)

* {{Discogs master|277246}}
==Personnel==
;Manic Street Preachers
*[[James Dean Bradfield]] – lead vocals, guitar, mandola on "I Think I Found It"
*[[Nicky Wire]] – bass, lead vocals on "The Future Has Been Here 4 Ever", backing vocals
*[[Sean Moore (musician)|Sean Moore]] – drums, percussion, trumpet


;Additional personnel
*[[Ian McCulloch (singer)|Ian McCulloch]] - second lead vocals on "Some Kind of Nothingness"
*[[John Cale]] - keyboards and noise on "Auto-Intoxication"
*[[Duff McKagan]] - bass on "A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun"
*Loz Williams - piano, Hammond organ, Mellotron
*Nick Naysmith - piano, Hammond organ
*Catrin Wyn Southall - vocal arrangement and backing vocals
*Melissa Henry - backing vocals
*Osian Rowlands - backing vocals
*Gareth Treseder - backing vocals
*Fflur Rowlands - backing vocals
*Roland George - backing vocals
*Aled Powys Williams - backing vocals
*Andy Walters - string arrangement and string player
*Joanna Walters - string player
*Carly Worsford - string player
*Bernard Kane - string player
*Simon Howes - string player
*Nathan Stone - string player
*Richard Phillips - string player
*Claudine Liddington - string player

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}


{{Manic Street Preachers}}
{{Manic Street Preachers}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Manic Street Preachers albums]]
[[Category:Manic Street Preachers albums]]
[[Category:Columbia Records albums]]
[[Category:Columbia Records albums]]
[[Category:2010 albums]]
[[Category:2010 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Dave Eringa]]

[[Category:Albums produced by Loz Williams]]
[[es:Postcards from a Young Man]]
[[gl:Postcards from a Young Man]]
[[it:Postcards From a Young Man]]
[[ja:ポストカーズ・フロム・ア・ヤング・マン]]
[[pl:Postcards from a Young Man]]
[[ru:Postcards from a Young Man]]

Latest revision as of 23:26, 29 August 2024

Postcards from a Young Man
Studio album by
Released20 September 2010
RecordedOctober 2009 – June 2010
StudioFaster Studio in Cardiff, Wales
Genre
Length43:48
LabelColumbia
Producer
Manic Street Preachers chronology
Journal for Plague Lovers
(2009)
Postcards from a Young Man
(2010)
National Treasures – The Complete Singles
(2011)
Singles from Postcards from a Young Man
  1. "(It's Not War) Just the End of Love"
    Released: 13 September 2010
  2. "Some Kind of Nothingness"
    Released: 6 December 2010
  3. "Postcards from a Young Man"
    Released: 28 February 2011

Postcards from a Young Man is the tenth studio album by Welsh alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers, released on 20 September 2010 by Columbia Records.

The band described the album to be "one last shot at mass communication". The album achieved commercial and critical success, reaching the number 3 spot on the UK charts and was supported by the Manics' most extensive tour of the UK to date.[1]

Background

[edit]

The Manics began recording the album (provisionally titled It's Not War – Just the End of Love) in October 2009 at their Faster Studio in Cardiff and finished in June 2010.[2] In an interview for NME, Bradfield said "We're going for big radio hits on this one [...] It isn't a follow-up to Journal for Plague Lovers."[3] Nicky Wire has said "We've always been about infiltrating the mainstream. It was a conscious decision this time to want to hear ourselves on the radio. Our mantra at the start was 'If you've got something to say, say it to as many people as possible'."[4] In pre-release interviews Wire also compared the album to the Aerosmith album Pump, saying that "it's going to be an amazing album... Send Away the Tigers was Permanent Vacation; this next one is our Pump."[5]

In July 2009 Wire said that the band's forthcoming album would "be heavy metal Tamla Motown. Van Halen playing The Supremes! I know there's a lot of creativity in us and obviously because I didn't write lyrics on the last record I've got tons of words done."[6] Manics biographer Simon Price reacted to Nicky's announcement with amusement: 'Heavy metal Motown? I’ll believe it when I hear it. That Nicky Wire certainly can talk a good game. The thing is with those three lads is they'll sit around before writing any songs and come up with all these wildly juxtaposing ideas and styles, all of which sound great in theory, but when they actually start working towards them it always comes across sounding very much like a Manics record [...] I remember just before the Lifeblood album came out in 2004 Nicky had been telling me it was going to sound like Goldfrapp-meets-late '70s era David Bowie. And I could see what he meant, but when I actually heard it just reminded me of a more subdued version of their other stuff. In a good way though. A lot of the time Nicky goes public with these bold statements and then it comes down to it, it's up to James to try and back them up. That's a lot of pressure to put one person under and sometimes I’m positive James is at home half the time going "Oh no, what have you said this time?". '[7]

Ex-Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan guests on one of the album's songs, "A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun", and four other tracks on the album feature a gospel choir.[4] On their website on 24 June 2010 the Manics posted the message "Magical day in Cardiff: Ian McCulloch singing duet & John Cale playing on a new Manics track in LA."[8] Of the album's lead single, "(It's Not War) Just the End of Love", Nicky Wire claimed "I believe in the tactile nature of rock 'n' roll. There's a generation missing out on what music meant to us... You can only elaborate on the stuff that compels you to. But 'It's Not War' is kind of saying 'Alright, we're not 18, but even at 40 the rage is still there'."[4]

Postcards from a Young Man was recorded with producer and longtime Manics collaborator Dave Eringa and was mixed in America by Chris Lord-Alge.[9] The album cover art uses a black and white photograph of British actor Tim Roth.[10]

Stylistically, the album is regarded as a foray into Seventies-style AOR and power-pop,[11] as well as a pop sound.[12]

Release

[edit]

The album was released on 20 September 2010, going straight into the UK Album Charts at number 3. It was released in a standard version, two-disc deluxe version and limited edition box set.[13] In January 2011 the album achieved Gold status (100,000 copies) in the UK. The album reached an astonishing chart position in Greece, entering at number 8, and it also charted within the Top 20 in Czech Republic, Ireland and in Finland.

The album was promoted by the single "(It's Not War) Just the End of Love", which peaked on number 28 in the UK Singles Chart, their lowest charting single since 1994's "She Is Suffering". The second single of the album, "Some Kind of Nothingness", featured Echo & the Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch and entered the UK singles chart at number 44, making it the first ever Manics single to not make the Top 40 since they signed to Sony in 1991. The third and last single was the title track "Postcards from a Young Man".

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic76/100[14]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[15]
Clash8/10[16]
The Daily Telegraph[17]
Drowned in Sound6/10[11]
The Guardian[18]
The Independent[19]
musicOMH[20]
NME7/10[21]
Pitchfork7.5/10[22]
Uncut[23]

The album was met with positive reviews from critics, holding a score of 76/100 on review aggregator website Metacritic based on sixteen mainstream critics reviews.

AllMusic made a very positive review of the album with a rating of 4.5/5, saying that "everything is bigger than usual", finishing with "All this bustle winds up being the rarest of things for the Manics: it is fun. Granted, it is serious-minded fun with ambition, but with Manic Street Preachers you take fun whenever you can get it, and they've never sounded as ebullient as they do here."[15]

The Guardian rated the album with a 4 out of 5 stating: "This is what the Manic Street Preachers do. As it plays, you're struck by the fact that no one else does anything like it: reason enough for the Manic Street Preachers' continued existence."

NME gave a positive review to the album saying: "Among Postcards from a Young Man's several achievements is that it makes the '90s sound like they weren't an appalling place to be. It was never likely to best Everything Must Go's bravura passion play, but then again, the Manics' 10th offensive is a more playful beast than that - poignant, joyful and above all really, really loud."

Drowned in Sound gave an average score of 6/10 to the album: "It's an album which is self-aware enough to include, late on, a song called "All We Make Is Entertainment", and to end with another called "Don't Be Evil", an acknowledgement, perhaps, that that's all you can ask of a rock'n'roll band: refrain from actively making life worse. For 20 years, Manic Street Preachers have been making life better. They shouldn't worry. But if they didn't worry, what else would they do?"

Pitchfork rated the album with a 7.5/10 and Joe Tangari gave his opinion about the album, saying that: "While I wouldn't say that Postcards from a Young Man is quite the late-career masterstroke Journal for Plague Lovers was, it is still a product of a re-energized band. Whether or not it actually garners them the hits and mass audience they're aiming for (and at least in Britain, it seems inconceivable that it won't), they've managed to make an inviting, populist album that deserves the attention. It's maybe not quite heavy metal Tamla Motown, but it is Manic Street Preachers, and here, that's enough."

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Nicky Wire; all music is composed by James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore, except where noted

No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."(It's Not War) Just the End of Love"  3:28
2."Postcards from a Young Man"  3:35
3."Some Kind of Nothingness" (featuring Ian McCulloch) Wire3:50
4."The Descent (Pages 1 & 2)"  3:27
5."Hazelton Avenue"  3:23
6."Auto-Intoxication" (featuring John Cale)  3:47
7."Golden Platitudes"  4:23
8."I Think I Found It"Bradfield 3:06
9."A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun" (featuring Duff McKagan)  3:39
10."All We Make Is Entertainment"  4:15
11."The Future Has Been Here 4Ever"  3:38
12."Don't Be Evil"  3:18
Total length:43:48
Japan bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
13."Red Rubber"2:57
14."Evidence Against Myself"3:00
Total length:49:45
Deluxe Edition bonus disc: Original Demos
No.TitleLength
1."(It's Not War) Just the End of Love" (demo)3:29
2."Postcards from a Young Man" (demo)3:32
3."Some Kind of Nothingness" (demo)3:56
4."The Descent (Pages 1 & 2)" (demo)3:23
5."Hazelton Avenue" (demo)3:04
6."Auto-Intoxication" (demo)3:48
7."Golden Platitudes" (demo)4:21
8."I Think I Found It" (demo)3:06
9."A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun" (demo)3:31
10."All We Make Is Entertainment" (demo)3:42
11."The Future Has Been Here 4 Ever" (demo)3:46
12."Don't Be Evil" (demo)3:27
Total length:43:10
Deluxe Box Set Edition bonus cassette: Original Demos
No.TitleLength
13."(It's Not War) Just the End of Love" (Nicky Wire original demo)3:29
Deluxe Box Set Edition bonus DVD
No.TitleLength
14."Making of Postcards from a Young Man" (documentary)30:00

Personnel

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Charts and certifications

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References

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  1. ^ "Postcards From A Young Man". manicstreetpreachers.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  2. ^ "postcard_june2010.png". manicstreetpreachers.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  3. ^ "Manic Street Preachers Announce UK Tour and New Album Details". NME. 1 June 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  4. ^ a b c Nissim, Mayer (7 June 2010). "Ex-GN'R Bassist Features on New Manics LP". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  5. ^ Cope, Chris (26 May 2010). "Manic Street Preachers Look to Aerosmith on New Album". spinnermusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  6. ^ "Manic Street Preachers - Manic Street Preachers' New Direction". contactmusic.com. 20 July 2009. Archived from the original on 20 November 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  7. ^ Nathan Bevan (22 July 2009). "Manics signal new direction for next album". WalesOnline.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  8. ^ "Manic Street Preachers / Official News (GLOBAL) / Magical Day in Cardiff". Archived from the original on 27 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  9. ^ "Preview: Manic Street Preachers in Blackburn". Lancashire Telegraph. 4 June 2010. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  10. ^ "Nuovo dei Manics a settembre" (in Italian). Indie-Rock. 6 June 2010. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  11. ^ a b Lukowski, Andrzej (21 September 2010). "Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From a Young Man". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 24 November 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  12. ^ James, Gareth (18 June 2014). "Manic Street Preachers: The Complete Guide". Clash. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  13. ^ "Postcards From A Young Man (Deluxe Edition)". Play.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  14. ^ "Critic Reviews for Postcards From a Young Man". Metacritic. 21 September 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  15. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Postcards from a Young Man - Manic Street Preachers : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  16. ^ James, Gareth (21 September 2010). "Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From A Young Man". clashmusic.com. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  17. ^ Perry, Andrew (17 September 2010). "Manic Street Preachers: Postcards From a Young Man, CD review". telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  18. ^ McLaren, James (16 September 2010). "Manic Street Preachers: Postcards from a Young Man". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  19. ^ Gill, Andy (17 September 2010). "Album: Manic Street Preachers, Postcards from a Card (Columbia)". independent.co.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  20. ^ Burgess, Andrew. "Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From A Young Man". MusicOMH. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  21. ^ Denney, Alex (20 September 2010). "NME Album Reviews - Album Review: Manic Street Preachers - 'Postcards From A Young Man' (Columbia)". nme.com. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  22. ^ Tangari, Joe. "Manic Street Preachers: Postcards From a Young Man". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  23. ^ Quantick, David (October 2010). "Manic Street Preachers - Postcards from a Young Man". Uncut: 93. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  24. ^ "Ultratop.be – Manic Street Preachers – Postcards from a Young Man" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  25. ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  26. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Manic Street Preachers – Postcards from a Young Man" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  27. ^ "Manic Street Preachers: Postcards from a Young Man" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  28. ^ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  29. ^ "Greekcharts.com – Manic Street Preachers – Postcards from a Young Man". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  30. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Manic Street Preachers". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  32. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Manic Street Preachers – Postcards from a Young Man". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  33. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Manic Street Preachers – Postcards from a Young Man". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  34. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Manic Street Preachers – {{{album}}}". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  35. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  36. ^ "End of Year 2010" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  37. ^ "British album certifications – Manic Street Preachers – Postcards From A Young Man". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
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