Album: James Dean Bradfield <!-- none onestar twostar threestar fourstar fivestar -->

The Great Western, COLUMBIA

"I hear you got something to say/But first you need some people to say it to," sings James Dean Bradfield in "That's No Way to Tell a Lie", the opening track and first single from this solo debut. An attack on the way African churches lied to parishioners about the role of condoms in preventing the spread of Aids, the song is his most effective here; but those lines neatly summarise the obverse of Bradfield's problem, which is the absence not of an audience but rather of a compelling lyrical thrust. It's no secret that Nicky Wire is the Manic Street Preachers' lyricist (and Richey Edwards, when available), and thus no coincidence that the most arresting pieces on The Great Western are "Bad Boys and Painkillers", Wire's fond reflection upon doomed rock icons, and "To See a Friend in Tears", a Jacques Brel post-war contemplation rendered to suitably respectful acoustic guitar. Otherwise, it lacks gripping themes, unless one is drawn to musings upon Welshness like "Emigré" and "Which Way to Kyffin"; though doubtless the music - which reflects Bradfield's role as Manics' musician-in-chief - will compensate fans.

DOWNLOAD THIS: 'Bad Boys and Painkillers', 'That's No Way to Tell a Lie'