Liberation Transmission remains a masterclass in production, melody, and rhythmic aggression. The work of the other five members —Drummer Ian Watkins (no relation), Lee Gaze, Mike Lewis, Stuart Richardson, and Jamie Oliver—deserves recognition for its craft. It is an objective piece of music history that influenced a generation of British rock bands (You Me at Six, Neck Deep).
You can separate the art from the artist. But you cannot separate the art from the victim. It is a difficult listen now. The joyous, "we can do anything" energy of the album is tainted. As a piece of plastic and ones and zeroes: 9/10. A flawless alternative rock record that captures a band at the absolute peak of their powers. Lostprophets-Liberation Transmission- Full
Time has not been kind to the legacy of Lostprophets for reasons that go far beyond artistic merit. The heinous crimes committed by lead singer Ian Watkins have rightfully erased this band from most playlists and retrospective discussions. Streaming numbers have plummeted, physical copies have been pulled from many shelves, and the band members have since moved on (forming the excellent with Thursday’s Geoff Rickly). You can separate the art from the artist