Future Of The Left - The Plot Against Common Sense (Album Review)
Friday, 01 June 2012
Written by Ben Bland
I can’t pretend that this review is not going to contain a fair amount of bias. You see, I’ve been waiting for this album for years - three years to be precise. Future of the Left are just one of those bands; once you are in, you are in knee deep and all you want is more. After 2009’s completely brilliant and barmy 'Travels with Myself and Another' it was all change in the world of this particular British institution. Oh yes, for ‘institution’ is the word for this band. Sure this is only their third full-length album but even frontman Andrew Falkous seems to have vaguely found peace (not with the “name they gave you” - see track 3) with the idea that most people basically see Future of the Left as something of a continuation of the distinctly acerbic noise rock style of his previous band Mclusky, if the playing of classic former bands tracks live is anything to go by.
I digress however. Since 'Travels…' Future of the Left have had some problems. Bassist and former Jarcrew man Kelson Mathias jumped ship and it took until October 2010 for Julia Ruzicka (she of Million Dead, aka. that amazing band Frank Turner was in before he became well famous) to come in as his permanent replacement. Why has it taken eighteen months since then to get an album out? Well nobody is quite sure but it is clear that Falkous and his bandmates have been extremely frustrated at constant delays. Maybe the universe was just having difficulty adjusting to the extra sarcasm in the group as a result of the addition of extra guitarist and vocalist Jimmy Watkins.
Still, after the (mostly) brilliant EP 'Polymers are Forever' towards the end of 2011, hopes have been high for 'The Plot against Common Sense' since the start of the year. Frankly, nobody need have worried that this album was going to be anything but brilliant. What makes this band so bloody amazing is that they sound like nobody else on the planet. There are plenty of acts that combine the twin tools of wit and noise but none who do it with the same distinct tone that Andrew Falkous and crew manage. Opener, and first single, 'Sheena is a T-Shirt Salesman', is a two minute blast of vicious cynicism that manages to be catchier than the common cold. The other track that fans will be familiar with before hearing this album is of course 'Polymers are Forever', which is such a major blast of awesomeness that I nearly exploded with excitement when I first heard it on its eponymous EP last year.
What of the yet to be heard? Well it’s noticeable that Falkous is ever more determined to weave the synthesizer into the band’s sound. Many of this album’s highlights, such as the Seb Coe baiting 'Failed Olympic Bid', are carried along by synths whilst others, like the totally mental 'Camp Cappuccino', are led by Ruzicka’s typically excellent bass work in tandem with Jack Egglestone’s usual brand of hyperactive drumming. There is a real chemistry amongst the four members here that is a relief for those worried that Mathias’ departure was going to hang large over affairs.
Of course I couldn’t end a Future of the Left review without mentioning the lyrics. I don’t feel like I’m hero worshipping when I say that Falkous has always been a bit of a genius in this department. It is a struggle to think of any other lyricist who manages to be so consistently funny and yet often meaningful at the same time. Despite what certain reviewers may have said when talking about 'The Plot against Common Sense', Falkous is on top lyrical form as ever. Occasionally it is completely unclear what on earth he is on about but then Thom Yorke has been partially writing lyrics by pulling words out of paper bags for years and he doesn’t have to put up with cretins on the internet moaning that he has lost his touch. Suffice it to say that when Falkous is lecturing us on all that will be wrong with 'Pirates of the Caribbean 47' in 'Robocop 4 - Fuck Off Robocop' you should be either applauding the man or locked up in an asylum.
I could write about this album all day. I could write about how much I love this band all week but there is no need in doing either. All you really need to know is that this is a band unlike any other and as such this album will be unlike anything else you hear this year. Sure it’s not perfect; fifteen tracks is probably a couple too many, and 'destroywhitchurch.com' not being included is something of a travesty. Sure it’s not the sort of album that is going to win you a place in the NME cool list. It’s also probably never going to get you laid…but who the fuck cares? It’s Future of the Left and they are as cuttingly awesome as they always have been.
'The Plot against Common Sense' is out on June 11th via Xtra Mile Recordings. Future of the Left tour the UK from the 7th to 14th June.
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I digress however. Since 'Travels…' Future of the Left have had some problems. Bassist and former Jarcrew man Kelson Mathias jumped ship and it took until October 2010 for Julia Ruzicka (she of Million Dead, aka. that amazing band Frank Turner was in before he became well famous) to come in as his permanent replacement. Why has it taken eighteen months since then to get an album out? Well nobody is quite sure but it is clear that Falkous and his bandmates have been extremely frustrated at constant delays. Maybe the universe was just having difficulty adjusting to the extra sarcasm in the group as a result of the addition of extra guitarist and vocalist Jimmy Watkins.
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