5 Of The Best: 2012 Albums

2. The Future Of The Left €“ €˜The Plot Against Common Sense€™

With a record called The Plot Against Common Sense, surely it€™s asking to be analysed with an academic fervour? With tracks named €œSheena Is A T-Shirt Salesman€, €œFailed Olympic Bid€ and €œSorry Dad, I Was Late For The Riots€ you€™re putting your neck on the line and trying to pin down the counter culture zeitgeist, wrapping up a nation€™s collective image and perceptions at that point in time. Right? Well, erm, maybe. FotL have already stated on Twitter that €œSorry Dad, I Was Late For The Riots€ isn€™t about morons like Otis Ferry and Charlie Gilmour; white, dreadlocked and with a misguided sense of social justice. In essence, it€™s as much about these people as €œArming Eritrea€ from their last LP is about€well, arming Eritrea. It makes this reviewing lark difficult for people like us. Sure, I could sit here and say something vague about how the bassline on €œBeneath The Waves Of An Ocean€ is superb in its simplicity and tone (which it really is). I could also sit here and say that €œSheena Is A T-Shirt Salesman€ €˜is one of the most exciting and addictive songs I€™ve heard for years€™ (Oh€I just did). Certainly, it€™s their most accessible record both musically and lyrically, and ideally the catalyst for wider recognition for a group that actually really, really, really deserve it. When you write review after review about bands and records you might not even care about, it€™s hard to contain your excitement when a group with brains, steel and balls give you something to listen to. http://youtu.be/JcD2cqNT1bQ
Contributor
Contributor

Currently undertaking NCTJ (journalism qualification), do a lot of music writing and very interested in literature, film, current affairs and anything else in between. Find me on Twitter - @jjviney