Mclusky - 'Alan Is A Cowboy Killer' (Too Pure)
4/5
By: Thomas Hannan
Never judge a book, or an EP for that matter, by its cover. The eerie, dark photography that encases this fine release suggests something altogether terrifying. Opening the case gives no more reassurance - printed herein are lyrics about ugly children, weird sex and death. What a shock it is then, to find that those responsible, Mclusky, are a cheeky, noisy, chaotic, wonderful joy - and more angular than an octagon repeatedly hacking at itself with a knife.
Lead-track 'Alan Is A Cowboy Killer' sounds like all the bands you have ever loved all trying to play louder than one another. It shares the Pixies fascination with cryptic lyrics ('Pull up your pants now the camera crew have gone...'"), the Sex Pistols' snotty-nosed obnoxiousness, the energy of early Blur and pop sensibilities of Supergrass. Yes, the bassline is only two notes constantly swapping over and the guitars in the chorus seem to be trying to hit the strings as many times as they can before the verse starts again, but it sounds like such a welcome breezeblock to the head that all its seemingly random gyrations and fits just add to the general charm.
It's by no means the only gem on-show, however. In all of one minute and eighteen seconds, 'Exciting Whistle-Ah' still manages to make you feel completely out of breath with its ridiculously-paced thrashing and yet more shouting of thought-provoking lyrics ('Hippies, hippies everywhere, and not a thing to drink...'), whilst on 'Random Celebrity Insult Generator', they helpfully inform us of how unmemorable UK TV-star Nick Berry 'had talent in a previous life', sneering over and over again until whatever hatred they seem to have of him is more than shared by the now singing along listener.
It all makes a little more sense when you stare closer at the small print and see that Steve Albini, demigod producer and noise-smith extraordinaire, has produced some of this frantic affair. In his world, sinister is hilarious, tongue in cheek humour is the only kind there is and noise, well, if your ears don't hurt by the end of it, it's not been worthwhile. Although the greatness of this EP is hardly all his doing, it's good news to hear that he's apparently on board to produce the follow-up to current album, 'Mclusky Do Dallas'. If all Mclusky's breezeblocks have as much simple brilliance as this, it can't hit our heads soon enough.
Artists in this article: Mclusky
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