Album by album - Endangered Species

[Michael Heatley]

As with all these albums, a good starting point (as well as the albums themselves ves, of course) is the Manband Archive’s discography section. This entry is particularly fine...

www.manband-archive.com/discography/index.php

My kickoff would be that I found this the most impressive of Man’s post-reformation albums by the most impressive (p-r) line-up. In many respects it was their last credible offering, and it’s criminal it’s out of print today. The release of the Coal Exchange DVD goes some way to making up for that, however; God bless Steve Elsdon.

Phil’s forced withdrawal stopped ES in its tracks, ensuring the ironic title became all too sadly appropriate.

This is an album you could play to anyone unfamiliar with the Man catalogue and not have to make any explanation or excuse. It’s got it all, for me.

Over to you lot, with seasons greetings...

[George Jones]

 "it’s criminal it’s out of print today'

Thats ironic, because its also criminal that it now back in print 

[Brian]

Endangered Species would be significant enough on its own if only for being the final album to feature both Micky and Deke, not to mention the unexpected return of Phil.  But what makes it extra special for me is the inclusion of what I think is one of the greatest songs in the entire Man catalog, Face to Face. 

Deke’s lyrics and delivery are those of a somewhat world-weary traveler through life who’s seen it all.  The tempo is slowed down without being plodding, with enough room for Micky and Phil to express their spacey psychedelic inner selves without constraint.  Even the ending is stretched out with no rush to wrap things up, but at no point does the song ever feel like it’s too long.  It stands with the best of anything Man created during their prime period. 

Rest in Peace, Man.

[Nick Nation]

On first hearing, this was an impressive album. There's some standout tracks - 'Conflict Of Interest' is in my Man all-time Top 10, 'Love Isn't Love', 'Hanging On'...even the much-maligned 'Popemobile' has a great intro. The overall sound is great, the facilities at Rockfield by this time were far better than on their previous visit, and Dave Charles in the Producer's chair did a very good job.

However subsequent listens revealed a very disjointed collection. I'm used to Man sounding different from one album to the next, especially with the frequent changes of personnel, but it always sounded like Man in the end. This time, however, it didn't. I don't like 'Saints And Sinners' and especially 'Tie Up The Wind'...this really was more suited to Des O'Connor. I was also finding I didn't always like what Micky was doing any more...the solo on 'Conflict' starts brilliantly but then he starts doing those dive-bombing noises best left to others.

No doubt I will be in the minority with regard to this album.  Take it away....

[Michael Heatley]

Is this series of threads running out of steam, or do you all agree with Nick? Answers on a postcard to PO Box 49... 

[Colin Salter]

There are just SO many albums, Michael. We have to mae SOME time for other things.

This is my second-favourite album after BGTY, which is unshakable at the top because for me that's where it all began. In practice ES is the album I play most often, the best musically of all of them. Significantly this is Bob's only studio recording issued while he was actually in the band. The combo of Phil and Micky blows me away every time, and when I listen to ES on headphones (as we used to call them) I just lose myself in their contributions.

Popemobile is lyrically weak, and Martin's vocals were never a musical high point; and Tie Up the Wind is dreary - I've never really like Man in ballad mode. Otherwise it's a strong set and I like Saints and Sinners which shows diversity to me rather than lack of consistency. Conflict of Interest, Face to Face and Love Isn't Love are the particular highlights.

I always thought the title was ominous, and there's a world-weariness in the vocals, especially of Deke, that always made it feel like some sort of final statement. It still feels that way, and I have not bought any subsequent studio albums for many of the positive and negative reasons above.

[Colin Salter]

I got that wrong - it wasn't Bob's only album while still in the band of course. There was Diamonds and Coal.

[Tel]

Is this series of threads running out of steam, or do you all agree with Nick? Answers on a postcard to PO Box 49... 

Nope - it is interesting to read peoples views and ow things have changed over time.


I really love this album but I haven't listened to it for some time so I'm going to have a revisit in the next day or two.

[joan]

I got that wrong - it wasn't Bob's only album while still in the band of course. There was Diamonds and Coal.

you forgot Kingdom of noise... George parts were removed but Bob drums remained for most of the songs
There is also Man Undrugged, with five songs with Bob in 2001 to finish the CD started in 1996 with Terry on drums.

[Colin Salter]

I know, but by the time it came out he wasn't in the band.