Even in Exile
Artwork of Víctor Jara in black, grey and white, on a red background
Studio album by
James Dean Bradfield
Released14 August 2020
Recorded2019
StudioDoor to the River Studio
GenreProgressive rock[1]
Length48:20
LabelMontyRay
James Dean Bradfield chronology
The Chamber: Official Motion Picture Soundtrack
(2016)		 Even in Exile
(2020)
Singles from Even in Exile
  1. "The Boy from the Plantation"
    Released: 1 July 2020

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. 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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
DIY[9]
NME[1]
The Observer[10]

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.TitleMusicLength
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 Williams4:05
5."Thirty Thousand Milk Bottles" 4:34
6."Under the Mimosa Tree"Bradfield, Gavin Fitzjohn4:34
7."From the Hands of Violeta" 5:26
8."Without Knowing the End (Joan's Song)" 3:11
9."La Partida"Jara4:05
10."The Last Song" 5:16
11."Santiago Sunrise" 4:44
Total length:48:20

Charts

Chart performance for Even in Exile
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

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Clarke, Patrick (12 August 2020). "James Dean Bradfield – 'Even In Exile' album review". NME. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  2. ↑ Eede, Christian (2 July 2020). "James Dean Bradfield Details Solo Album, 'Even In Exile'". The Quietus. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  4. ↑ Murray, Robin (5 August 2020). "James Dean Bradfield Launches Inspired By Jara Podcast". Clash. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  5. ↑ "James Dean Bradfield releases 'Even In Exile'". Obscure Sound. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Wilding, Philip (23 September 2020). "Why James Dean Bradfield made an album inspired by a murdered Chilean activist". LouderSound. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  7. ↑ Crabtree, Steve. "Even In Exile by James Dean Bradfield - Review". On Yorkshire Magazine.
  8. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Even in Exile - James Dean Bradfield". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  9. 1 2 Harris, Nick. "James Dean Bradfield - Even In Exile". DIY. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  10. 1 2 Morris, Damien (16 August 2020). "James Dean Bradfield: Even in Exile review – a passionate tribute to Víctor Jara". The Observer. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  11. ↑ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  12. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  13. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – James Dean Bradfield – Even in Exile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
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