In the early 2000s, mclusky burst onto the scene—one of those bands that somehow sounded familiar and yet completely new. They came crashing into an era when noise rock had already faded, but the Welsh trio shredded, screamed, and never gave a damn. They played with words, acted like clowns, and wrapped their absurdities in barbed wire.
They released three albums, with Do Dallas standing as one of the most essential rock records of the 2000s. Fame mostly passed them by. Defeat followed, the band split, and its members scattered. Vocalist/guitarist Andy Falkous left the biggest mark with Future of the Left, which carried the mclusky torch forward with grim determination.
Falkous is the sole original member of the current lineup. No matter—mclusky is mclusky, and you’ll know it within ten seconds of their comeback album the world is still here and so are we (Ipecac). Opener “unpopular parts of a pig” immediately transports you back. It’s the old sound, untouched by time.
“way of the exploding dickhead” brings that familiar clang and charm. Lovely. This isn’t just a nostalgia trip, though. Tracks like “the battle of los angeles” feel refreshingly new, offering slacker-y, repetitive noise rock.
“not all steeplejacks” simmers slowly—another classic trick. But where’s the hit? You’ll have to stay for the closer, “hate the polis,” the anthemic punch you’ve been waiting for.
It’s unmistakably a mclusky record—not a forced return, and maybe not quite as bone-dry in the mix as Albini once made possible. But it’s true to their legend, and yes, the jokes still land.
mclusky – the world is still here and so are we: Familiar noise, done right. – RIFL