Is James Dean Bradfield an under rated guitarist?

[blueg33]

Just been listening to the Manic Street Preachers again, some of their older stuff. It strikes me that james Dean Bradfield is an awesome guitarist. I saw them live 2 years ago and his solos were fantastic and he moves his fingers so quickly. But he seems under rated, so I wanted to know what people think. As an example, listen to "you love us", "motorcycle emptiness" and "love's Sweet Exile"

[wiffmaster]

I'd agree that he's relatively under rated - some fantastic guitar work on most albums from 'Everything Must Go' onwards and a brilliant voice to match. In fact, I think the whole band are somewhat under rated - the don't get anything like the recognition they deserve and often tend to be the 'support act' to some vastly inferior acts.

[obscene]

Average to me, but I like what he does.

[Hub]

I always have respect for frontmen who are also the main guitarist in 3 pieces - they have a lot of work to do, and it isn't easy singing and managing complex guitar bits as well - JDB and Matt Bellamy from Muse are two that do this well!

[davepoth]

Hub said:

I always have respect for frontmen who are also the main guitarist in 3 pieces - they have a lot of work to do, and it isn't easy singing and managing complex guitar bits as well - JDB and Matt Bellamy from Muse are two that do this well!

There was a bloke back in the 60s too...Jimi something or other...

[darren9]

The old manics stuff is amazing and I saw them live a few years ago he was brilliant both on the guitar and vocals, very underrated in both aspects.

In my opinion though the manics after know your enemy is complete ste, infact a lot of Know your enemy and this is my truth ... is ste but that's another debate for another thread I guess.

[blueg33]

davepoth said:

Hub said:

I always have respect for frontmen who are also the main guitarist in 3 pieces - they have a lot of work to do, and it isn't easy singing and managing complex guitar bits as well - JDB and Matt Bellamy from Muse are two that do this well!

There was a bloke back in the 60s too...Jimi something or other...

I agree, but the debate we are having at home is that JDB is comparable especially if you look at the playing and writing objectively and discount 40 years of hype

[james_gt3rs]

blueg33 said:

Just been listening to the Manic Street Preachers again, some of their older stuff. It strikes me that james Dean Bradfield is an awesome guitarist. I saw them live 2 years ago and his solos were fantastic and he moves his fingers so quickly. But he seems under rated, so I wanted to know what people think. As an example, listen to "you love us", "motorcycle emptiness" and "love's Sweet Exile"

Hmm, just listened to those tracks on Youtube. VERY average IMO, there are lots of guitarists with (much) faster fingers and a lot more charisma.

I'm not a huge fan of Jimi Hendrix but even so they aren't even in the same league for me.

[blueg33]

james_gt3rs said:

blueg33 said:

Just been listening to the Manic Street Preachers again, some of their older stuff. It strikes me that james Dean Bradfield is an awesome guitarist. I saw them live 2 years ago and his solos were fantastic and he moves his fingers so quickly. But he seems under rated, so I wanted to know what people think. As an example, listen to "you love us", "motorcycle emptiness" and "love's Sweet Exile"

Hmm, just listened to those tracks on Youtube. VERY average IMO, there are lots of guitarists with (much) faster fingers and a lot more charisma.

I'm not a huge fan of Jimi Hendrix but even so they aren't even in the same league for me.

If you look at the tab for the solo in motorcycle emptiness and then try and play it you realise that he plays very quickly, i think one of the reasons he is underrated is because he makes it look easy

[davepoth]

I think he's a good guitarist. Nice bloke too. I met him in Cardiff 8 years ago or so.

[madcyril]

the old manics stuff is great ie the holy bible

[dealmaker]

Good guitarist........but hate their songs..............URGH! (Shivers)

[blueg33]

dealmaker said:

Good guitarist........but hate their songs..............URGH! (Shivers)

I think they are marmite, love or hate. Personally I love them

[snowy slopes]

Definitely underrated, he adds to the song, not takes away like so many