Review Summary: Sharp, catchy and ....hilarious
Emerging from the recently broken up McClusky and Jarcrew in 2005, Future of the Left released their debut album "Curses" in 2007. Frontman Andy "Falco" Falkous began to explore different ground than on previous McClusky releases, namely using more synthesizer than ever before!
"Curses" opens with "The lord hates a coward", a raw, sludgy noise-rock tune dotted with unbelievably piercing screams by Falco in the chorus "Get some, no pressure son". However, the album really kicks off with "Plague of onces", displaying the band's full arsenal with a dark bassline, sporadic guitar, inventive drumming, poppy hooks and relentless vocals.
The lyrical themes of all of FotL's releases are spontaneous and hilarious, you just have to look at their song titles or watch an interview to see that this band is not afraid to take the piss. Highlight track "Manchasm" features the side-splitting proclamation of Colin's feline tendencies, accompanied by dancey synth riffs. Political and satirical undercurrents also crop up throughout the album, though less than on subsequent releases.
The synth tracks are mainly the highlight of "Curses". Great use of bass fuzz pedal hold the songs up and make up for the lack of guitar. "Team:Seed" an onslaught of fuzzed out bass and irresistible catchy synth clocks in at just over 1 minute and demonstrates FotL's ability at writing blisteringly catchy, straight to the point songs.
"Curses" is a fantastic debut, firmly cementing Future of the Left on solid ground to explore their original niche of "***-you-pop".
Highlight tracks:
"Manchasm"
"Small Bones Small Bodies"
"Team:Seed"
"Plague of Onces"
"adeadenemyalwayssmellsgood"
