Wales is a small nation of hills which dip and rise throughout the country. The same can be said about Welsh socialist rockers the Manic Street Preachers career. The Manic Street Preachers were led by the "glitter twins": yappy bassist/lyricist Nicky Wire and the political depressed guitarist Richey James, plus the quiet cousin duo of lead vocalist, lead guitarist James Dean Bradfield and drummer Sean Moore. Rising to critical success with their brash, cocky attitude with the release of single "Motown Junk" and the Guns and Roses styled arsenal of "Generation Terrorists" (which the Manics declared would be placed in a sandpaper sleeve to detiorate the vinyl, sell 10 million copies, as they wasted their lives away drunkenly burning their master tapes). This was followed by a critical dip in form with its behemoth follow-up "Gold Against the Soul", which sounded like "Generation Terrorists 2". The Manics would gain critical applause and controversy, plus a rise in form and audience with the dark, Joy Division inspired cult classic "The Holy Bible" which sifted through an array of unpleasant topics such as capital punishment, suicide, eating disorders etc. Then the most tragic event in Manic Street Preachers history occurred when lyricist, and somewhat guitarist Richey James disappeared. Unbeknowst to the Manics and their audience whether he was alive or dead, the Manics decided to plug on as a trio for Richey's sake.

This resulted in growing awareness in Richey's disappearance and "Everything Must Go": an album of brightly recorded sparkling anthems, which was in stark contrast to the cavernous, extreme leftist political chic of the "Holy Bible". Richey fans claimed the Manics had sold out, as "Everything Must Go" garned the Manics the mass commercial success which had evaded them. They had conquered Britain and Europe, but not the lucrative American market. Despite their Anti-American lyrics and sentiments, the band unquestionable sold out on the mellow, protracted follow-up "This is My Truth, Tell Me Yours", ironicallly a quote by Welsh socialist politician Aneuran Bevan (founder of the British National Health Service) was being used by a socialist rock band who was losing touch with their fundamental values.

They had tried (and failed) to break America (despite their distrust of it), and had sold out in order to fulfill their rock star dreams. The album was a commercial success in their native Britain, but critically lukewarm. The Manics, isolated from their causes and core beliefs, retreated following the release of the turbo-charged "Masses Against the Classes" single. After years in seclusion they returned with the stark political "Know Your Enemy" album, a return their cursed and blessed roots, with little critical or commercial success.

After 10 years in the spotlight, the Manics decided to release a greatest hits collection entitled "Forever Delayed"- a lyric taken from "Gold Against the Soul" track "Roses in the Hospital" (which is strangely omitted from this album). The normally subdued relationship between the now trio apparently turned sour for a brief moment during the track listing for this album over which tracks would go on. Clearly, arguments can be made about the track listing. While, its been suggested that some members of the band and the majority of the audience wanted a 2 CD career retrospective, it is believed that in the end they plumped for a slimmed down for a more financially economical single CD album which sadly does not do justice to the Manics or Richey James at all.

The album includes the Manics first ever charting single, the Clash/Sex Pistols influenced "Motown Junk", a smashing, quick stronghold of mashing guitar and Bradfield's astounding rock and roll vocal range.

"The Generation Terrorists" era is supplimented by the epic "Motorcycle Emptiness" a whirpool of Guns and Roses guitar dressed above a clipping drum beat; the anarchistic lyrical jibes and punk of "You Love Us" in which they declare "We are not your sinners/ Are voices are for real!" Before in cocky fashion declaring "You Love Us", and their critique of the treatment of women in a male dominated society with their "beauty and viginity used like toys". The female vocals which contrast with Bradfield's are weirdly provided by ex-porn actress Traci Lords. As an album track "Little Baby Nothing" is stellar, but as a single (as its commercial standing proved) it was a poor choice.

And was even a more poorer choice for this slender collection considering the "Generation Terrorists" album also included the sanctified rock and roll of "Stay Beautiful"- a much better song, a much better single and a much better choice for trying to introduce the Manics and their past to a new audience (since the desire of any greatest hits album usually inlcudes the expansion of an audience).

The follow-up to "Generation Terrorists" was the lukewarm, but ever growing in stature "Gold Against the Soul" album. It is represented by two tracks the funky "La Tristesse Durera" and the shouty, streamlined sound of "From Despair to Where", complete with a dose of smooth Hammond Organ. Neither are true single material, but both were standout tracks from a less than stellar album and their inclusion within this record is worthy. Yet, the omittion of the splendid thin wah sounds of "Roses in the Hospital" for which includes the albums title in the lyrics is a disgrace. Rumour has it, that it was one of most argued about tracks between band members when the tracklisting for the album was made.

The non-album single "Suicide is Painless" (Theme From Mash) is one of their best covers ever, which speeds us the M*A*S*H* theme tenfold near the song's close in a thundering fashion. It is a welcome addition for both novices and Manics hardcore fans alike who may have not had the opportunity to hear this song before due to its limited release.

However, the decision to only include one track from the brilliant, dark "Holy Bible" album is lunacy. The Joy Division inspired dark snaps and pace of "Faster" provide the Manics with one of the best tracks. Whilst, Richey provides the memorable lyrics including "I don't believe in nothing/ But it is my nothing" For an album that produced some of those most challenging and troublesome work it is with grave disappointment to see that "She is Suffering" and "Revol" among others are not included.

The reformed Manics as a trio brought about "Everything Must Go" which includes some of their best work, and some highlights for this collection. If "Motorcycle Emptiness" was the anthem of the Richey era, then "A Design for Life"is the anthem for the post-Richey era. The sweeping grace of "A Design for Life" sadly just missed out the top of the UK charts with its lyrics evoking working class struggle for employment and recognition "Libraries gave us power/ Then work came and set us free/ What price now for a shallow piece of dignity" before rousing into the chorus "We don't talk about love/ We only want to get drunk/ And We are not allowed to spend/ As we are told this is the end". The quick tempo of "Australia" is brilliant and produces one of the Manics superior tracks. And it almost feels as the band intended the song to be- as a soundtrack to football highlights on the television.

The nimble "Kevin Carter" includes one of Richey's final lyrics about the Pulitzer Prize winning photographer who died in Africa. A guitar solo is replaced by the serene trumpet solo of drummer Sean Moore. His work is incredulous. The orchestrated rush of "Everything Must Go" barks out like an apology to their old fans with the lines "I hope you will forgive us/ but everything must go!". It seemed that was the case.

The follow-up to "Everything Must Go" was the elongated, delicate "This is My Truth, Tell Me Yours". Not a bad album, but not as awe inspiring as "Holy Bible" or "Everything Must Go". It sold millions of copies worldwide, but lacked a heart and soul in its tabulated arrangements and structures. It's best track, the anti-war anthem "If you Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" frightens with sliding guitar effects set to chilling Spanish Civil War era lyrics "And if i can shoot rabbits/ then i can shoot fascists". It, like their heroes the Clash and their track "Spanish Bombs", is made even more chilling by its brittle, fragile sound. The dolce opening and tense guitar sound of "You Stole the Sun From My Heart" create a wonderful elegiac pop/rock hit and one of that album's highlights.

However, the compilers decision to include the tiresome folk number "The Everlasting" and the Oriental sounding "Tsunami" on this collection is puzzling. Neither song is shattering in terms of the Manics career, but due to their high chart position it can be seen why they are included on this album.

This is by far the album's biggest flaw. Due to its slim size, the group has tried to compensate its newer fans for their financial loyalty by lending a heavy bias to new material. Not that the newer material is bad- it includes their joint best album and some remarkable moments- but it fails to recognize the scope and criterion of the Manics pantheon of work. "The Everlasting" may have scored higher on the charts than "She is Suffering", or "Roses In the Hospital", but it lacks the quality and finesse of the latter two tracks.

The challenging post- "Truth..." non-album single "Masses Against the Classes" is one of the Manics best tunes. Opened by a speech by leftist intellectual Noam Chomsky, the track's symphonic cacophony is a delight with the Manics at their most boastful "I'm tired of giving reason/ When we are the only ones to believe in"

The "Know Your Enemy" album is represented by the Beach Boys influenced "So Why So Sad". Not a great tune, and not the best single from that album. It's high chart position most likely paved its induction when the intense "Found that Soul" and inspiring "Let Robeson Sing" from the same album were better singles and tracks in the first place.

The album also contains two new Depeche Mode tracks: the sweeping majesty of There By the Grace of God and the cold Door to the River. "There By the Grace of God" is a fantastic addition to the Manics canon, while "Door to the River" sounds more like a b-side and adds little to expanding their audience.

This is one of "Forever Delayed"'s problems. It cannot decide whether to expand or honour the Manics audience and catalogue. It's inclination for its post- Richey material can be seen as satisfying their new fans, while whetting their appetites with older material, yet failing to honour their past.

The problem with "Forever Delayed" is that its too small. It needs to be expanded in order to honour both periods of Manics history. A double cd filled with all their singles or a split format with separate Richey era and post-Richey era tracks would have been more satisfying. In its current state old fans will be pleased by the inclusion of "Suicide is Painless" and "Motown Junk" but will be disappointed by the lack of early material in their first single "Suicide Alley" and "New Art Riot", as well as the lack of "Holy Bible" era material and the neglect of tracks such as "Roses in the Hospital", "Revol" and "Stay Beautiful" in favour of more popular hits. New fans will enjoy the wealth of "Everything Must Go" and "This is my Truth..." material plus non-album singles "There by the Grace of God" and "Masses Against the Classes".

In the end you cannot satisfy everyone. The Manic Street Preachers will always have a tough time of this due to two drastically different eras of "success" in their career leaving them with two distinct support camps. Still it contains many highlights and should please and inspire many fans new and old. Though a double compact disc retrospective may be released in the future, till then a proper Manics hit collection which invite newer fans and satisfy others is still "Forever Delayed"

Track listing:

1. A Design For Life
2. Motorcycle Emptiness
3. If you Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next
4. La Tristesse Durera (Scream to a Sigh)
5. There By the Grace of God
6. You Love Us
7. Australia
8. You Stole the Sun From My Heart
9. Kevin Carter
10. Tsunami
11. The Masses Against the Classes
12. From Despair to Where
13. Door to the River
14. Everything Must Go
15. Faster
16. Little Baby Nothing
17. Suicide is Painless (Theme From M*A*S*H*)
18. So Why So Sad
19. The Everlasting
20. Motown Junk

Note: Initial copies of this album came as a limited edition double album. However, it added insult to injury to many fans and critics who wished for either a double career retrospective or a 2nd cd containing b-sides and rarities, when it was announced the 2nd cd in the limited edition copy would contain a string of hideous remixes.

Highlights:

"Faster", "Masses Against the Classes", "There By the Grace of God", "A Design for Life", "Motown Junk", "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will be Next", "Australia"; "Suicide is Painless" (Theme From MASH)

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Cleaning the House