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Sunday, April 11, 2004

Born In Cardiff, Raised By Wolves

Lucky old me, for the last fortnight I've been in possession of an advance copy of the new McLusky album, 'The Difference Between Me And You Is That I'm Not On Fire. Early signs are, that it is, well, fuckin' superb. Blowing 'Do Dallas' (my review) out of the water, it eschews their last album's pop leanings and sees the band doing what they do best, dark, heavy and intense music.

The sheen has gone, this album chugs through some of Andy Falkous' dirtiest riffing and best lyrics to date. This is officially the most coherent McLusky record ever. Everything just sits together perfect, last the right length, creates the best tensions and explodes in all the right places. Good work lads, hat's off. The best thing to come out of Cardiff since Brain's Dark.

Oustanding tracks include 'You should be ashamed, Shamus' which contains one of the nicest main riffs I've heard in a while, and the line which started off this post. It's the musical equivalent of chewing a toffee whilst being high on permanent maker fumes.

'She will only bring you happiness' is about the poppiest track on the album, bringing to mind whimsical Pavement it would no doubt be the band's best chance of chart fame where it not for the beautifully harmonic and rolling cry of 'our old singer is, a sex criminal...'

Support Systems ends the album with some intense grinding noise vs whispery quiet bits, and at seven plus minutes, fails to outstay its welcome and leaves you gagging for more.

Song title of the album goes to 'Forget about him, I'm mint', and hats off again for some great lines and fuck me, some ska like horns. Strangely un-Mclusky but very Mclusky at the same time. John Chapple has a greatly pained voice and every word sounds drenched in schizophrenic yearning.

Now I will have to try and see them as they are at the Ifor Bach at the end of April. I haven't seen them live for probably about at least 18 months. They are storming live and Andy is always good for a chat. Top marks to one of the most approachable axe heroes in the world. And thanks for the greet via Hannah. Nice one.

Buy this. Now.

Posted by Dio Bach at 00:56  

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