Megan’s Top 25 of 2009: #2 - Future of The Left

A few years back, Andy Falkous (aka Falco) was in a band that was obnoxiously loud and drew frequent comparisons to the wry, bitterly clever music made by the Pixies. These days, Andy Falkous is in a band that is obnoxiously loud and should probably be garnering similar Pixies comparisons. So if you, like me, have been mourning the seriously mourn-worthy demise of Mclusky, you’re in for quite a treat with this here #2 record of 2009. With Future of The Left you get exactly what you were missing when Mclusky went kaput. In my humble opinion, Future of The Left is quite possibly the band that Falkous wished Mclusky would have been during their lifespan. They’re louder, snarkier, darker, and ever-so-slightly harder to ignore.

Travels With Myself and Another is one of two records (the other being #1) that jumped to the top of my list very, very late in the year. I was immediately taken with the skull-throbbing noise, the overwhelming sense of spewing vitriol and unabashed sarcasm (not to mention all of those patented ear-shattering screams) that came at me from inside my speakers. Nothing is sacred on this album, be it religion, wealth, politics, social morays, Rupert Murdoch – Future of The Left lampoons them all with equal aplomb. Scathing social commentary was always a major strength of Mclusky, and it’s no wonder that’s translated well over to Travels With Myself and Another. The entire album is almost nauseating in its ferocity, so entirely does the band unleash their fury upon us all. And I tell you what, I can’t get enough. I love that booming bass, the razor’s edge guitar, and the angry, growling lyrics and nasty vocals belonging to said Mr. Falkous.

It’s next to impossible to choose just a few songs to mention, since each and every little bastard of a song is worthy of the attention. What I will say is that "Chin Music," “I Am Civil Service,” “You Need Satan More Than He Needs You,” “Stand By/Your Manatee,” and “Lapsed Catholics” most push the boundaries of sound, decency, and awesomeness. Beware, kids, this album foams at the mouth, and isn’t for the faint of heart. But if you’ve got the stomach for it, you’re going to keep coming back for more.

mp3: Chin Music (Future of The Left from Travels With Myself and Another)