FOR ANYBODY bemused why people get so angry about the listless modern-day Manics, this lavish reissue should be a compulsory buy.

The Holy Bible is arguably the most intelligent, polemical, passionate and deeply disturbing record ever released. Unleashed in summer 1994 - the same day as its polar opposite, Oasis's Definitely Maybe - this is the ear-bleeding mission statement of a band at their consummate peak.

Driven by Richey Edwards' unyielding anti-everything worldview, the Welsh Valley boys ditched their Guns N' Roses fantasies and gave their post-punk influences a heavyweight political makeover. This tenth anniversary edition contains a souped-up US version, live tracks, outtakes and a revealing half-hour interview with the ever-dignified three remaining band members, who speak engagingly about Edwards' disappearance after the Bible's release. Buy this and you'll never listen to Keane again.

Updated: 09:06 Thursday, February 10, 2005