One of the most under appreciated bands in rock today (at least in this country), Welsh lads the Manic Street Preachers return with all guns blazing with their 6th album, 'Know Your Enemy'. Not known to do anything by half, the Manics have produced yet another epic (16 songs plus 2 bonus cuts) to sit nicely next to the classic albums, Generation Terrorists and The Holy Bible.

The refreshing thing about the group is that they are willing to take chances where other bands turn out the same old same old. The Beach Boys homage of 'So Why So Sad' and the funky disco track 'Miss Europa Disco Dancer' are huge leaps musically that work quite well. On the other hand, bass player Nicky Wire's attempt at taking the lead vocal on 'Wattsville Blues' shows that as a singer he makes one hell of a bass player.

Long time fans will also be pleased with songs such as 'Dead Martyrs' and 'The Convalescent' which hark back to the darker days of The Holy Bible. The latter name-checks such celebrities as Jack Kevorkian, Brian Warner (Marilyn Manson) and late golfer Payne Stewart. The Beastie Boys and Richard Gere are also given a serve on the wonderful 'Freedom of Speech Won't Feed My Children'.

Other standout tracks includes the opener, 'Found that Soul', the ode to lead singer James' grandmother, 'Ocean Spray', 'My Guernica' and 'Baby Elian'. As a bonus, you get the UK number one smash, 'The Masses Against the Classes' and the remix of 'So Why So Sad' by Australian electronica gurus the Avalanches.