Album Review: Future Of The Left The Plot Against Common

Still striving to attain the kudos afforded to his previous band Mclusky, singer Andrew “Falco” Falkous' lyrics have taken Neil Armstrong-sized leaps. Building on his reputation for scattershot threats, stream-of-consciousness gymnastics and sloganeering, The Plot Against Common Sense features recognisable subject matter, ranging from assaults on the creative bankruptcy of the movie industry (Robocop 4: Fuck Off Robocop) to middle class student-daytrippers joining in the recent UK urban unrest (Sorry Dad I Was Late For The Riots). Admittedly these themes are relayed through an unrelenting barrage of baffling images, transgressive propositions and questions that swallow their own tails like snakes, but it's tangible social commentary tackled with the kind of mental resourcefulness that makes Henry Rollins' witticisms sound strictly civilian.

Backed by a repugnant, obnoxious din (yes, it really is that good) mostly comprising adrenaline bursts of drums/bass/guitar, the new four-piece configuration provides greater freedom and opportunities to expand their sonic palette with the kind lo-fi, plinky electronics Brainiac used to dabble in. Without disregarding the bruising opener Sheena Is A T-Shirt Salesman, The Plot Against Common Sense is the mirror image of 90 percent of longplayers in that it gets better, more incisive and more brutal as it goes on, climaxing with the epic deconstruction of mindless celebrity worship on Notes On Achieving Orbit.

Whilst comparisons to Mclusky's triumphs are inevitable, The Plot Against Common Sense proves Future Of The Left to be several steps ahead of their detractors and supposed contemporaries. The Future Of The Left – and possibly hardcore as we know it.