Welsh trio Manic Street Preachers are narrowly leading the race for number one on the UK albums chart.
It's easy to forget just how big Manic Street Preachers were at one point. The Welsh group scored a massive hit album with 'Everything Must Go' and followed this up with the multi-million selling success of 'This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours'.
Although the band's commercial peak may be behind them, Manic Street Preachers still strive for mass acceptance. The Welsh band released their bombastic new album 'Postcards From A Young Man' on Monday (September 20th) and are enjoying huge success.
The logical follow up to 2007's 'Send Away The Tigers' the album is a sweeping, stirring return. Buoyed by rave reviews, Manic Street Preachers are currently leading the race to find the UK's number one album.
The band have sold 10 per cent more than Phil Collins, their nearest competitor. According to figures from the Official Chart Company if these trends continue then Manic Street Preachers will claim pole position.
If successful, this would be the first time Manic Street Preachers have taken number one on the albums chart since the release of 1998's 'This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours'.
The band have been dogged in controversy lately. Motormouth bass player Nicky Wire has slated the government, as well as informing surf-pop newcomers The Drums that they have "no soul".
An always controversial figure, Nicky Wire has also been forced to speak out on a new novel based on the last days of his friend Richey Edwards - who disappeared in 1995.
'Postcards From A Young Man' is out now.