Mclusky's Fatherhood Surprise: Noise Rock Gets Tender

Welsh noise-rock trio Mclusky is back with a new mini-album, "i sure am getting sick of this bowling alley." This release, their second since reuniting, distills their raw energy into five frantic songs under 14 minutes. It captures their characteristic guttural bass and tight rhythms, allowing frontman Andrew Falkous to deliver acerbic vocals and guitar work reminiscent of his work with Future of the Left.

The album is filled with spare, jagged one-liners critiquing society and capitalism, touching on themes of greed and societal collapse. Falkous's absurdist approach, akin to Mark E. Smith, ensures the music remains engagingly non-didactic. The band's foundational principle is that rock music thrives on energy and wit rather than solemnity.

A standout track, "as a dad," features a powerful chorus and surprisingly poignant lyrics. Unexpectedly, the line "In the piranha was another piranha" was improvised by bassist Damien Sayell's infant son. The track culminates in a touching reflection on fatherhood, a departure from the band's usual style, noting that "The long crawl to irrelevance/Feels a little better every time you smile."

Mclusky's knack for hooks and rhythms is evident, with bassist Damien Sayell and drummer Jack Egglestone delivering a monstrous sound. The influence of producer Steve Albini, who worked on their 2002 album "Do Dallas," is still palpable. Falkous expertly balances his mad atonality with precise syllable delivery for maximum impact, demonstrated on tracks like "fan learning difficulties."