The Manic Street Preachers have built a career around politically vocal, guitar-driven indie rock. A solo concept album paying tribute to the life and work of Chilean teacher, theatre director, poet, singer-songwriter and communist activist Victor Jara, from the band’s lead singer James Dean Bradfield, seems a natural progression then.

Jara, who has been referenced by western artists including The Clash, Simple Minds, and Calexico, was arrested shortly after the Chilean coup of 1973 that ousted president Salvador Allende and installed Augusto Pinochet’s regime. Jara was then brutally tortured, killed, and his body was dumped in the streets of Santiago.

Jara is no doubt a captivating character, and his life and work are handled with great affection on Even In Exile, Bradfield’s second solo album after his excellent 2006 debut release The Great Western. These days, the Manic Steet Preachers lyrical output is handled by bassist Nicky Wire, and the lyrics for this album have been written by Wire’s brother, the Welsh poet Patrick Jones, giving a real sense of gravitas to Bradfield’s message.

Musically Even In Exile is a delight. There are Latin American flavours, but Bradfield skillfully avoids letting that influence overly dominate this record’s sound. Instead, this feels more like a cinematic modernising of Jara’s creative output, mixed with bombastic electric guitars, elements of prog, and beautiful piano and string textures.

Opening track Recuerda is majestic, building from an acoustic intro to a soaring beast of a track. There’ll Come A War and The Last Song are sprawling, bewitching affairs that demand several listens to truly be absorbed, while Without Knowing The End (Joan’s Song) and Thirty Thousand Milk Bottles are high-tempo rallying cries. There are some fantastic instrumental works here too, from the single Seeking The Room With The Three Windows, to the delicate Under The Mimosa Tree, and a haunting arrangement of Jara’s track La Partida.

The Manics have always warranted praise for the thirst for knowledge that permeated their long career, and it’s a trait that is alive and well with Even In Exile.

Even In Exile tracklist:

1. Recuerda

2. The Boy From The Plantation

3. There’ll Come A War

4. Seeking The Room With The Three Windows

5. Thirty Thousand Milk Bottles

6. Under The Mimosa Tree

7. From The Hands Of Violeta

8. Without Knowing The End (Joan’s Song)

9. La Partida

10. The Last Song

11. Santiago Sunrise

Author: Joe Sharratt

Joe Sharratt is a writer and journalist based in the UK covering music, literature, sport, and travel.