Mclusky The Difference Between You And Me Is That I'm Not On Fire

Mclusky have been on the brink of wider acceptance for a little while now, but this album should, if fairness prevails, provide it for them. Not that they've toned down their biting satire or spiky punk rock mind, more that after two corking albums, 2000's low key debut mypainandsadnessismoresadandpainfulthanyours, and 2002's ...Do Dallas, maybe the world is finally ready for Mclusky.

Goodness knows the punk scene needs a band like Mclusky, with their abrasive, knowing and rollicking alt.rock sensibilities, and the occasional canny ear for a melody. There's no one quite like this band among the legion of Green Day imitating US bands, or the Oi! throwbacks prevalent in some sections of the UK's own scene. In fact, the most consistent comparisons are with alternative icons the Pixies; there is an element of truth in this, however it would be far too limiting to label Mclusky as plying their trade off the back of that band. The familiarly drastic loud-soft, stop-start shifts are evident, but there's none of the surrealistic word-pictures of Black Francis here, nor the delicate female harmonies of Kim Deal.

What there is, in fact, is a large amount of literate hectoring, a la Lydon circa PiL, and some plain old raucous whelping, grounded on Steve Albini's typically spare production. As always with Albini, the drums are near perfect, and the vicious guitars stab and jar against the bass. Occasionally sounding like an air-raid in progress, as in 1956 And All That, Mclusky fortunately prove to be more than a one trick pony by the time grinding, pulsing closer Support Systems draws to an end.

There are occasional traces of forgotten Britrock masters Therapy? (sorry, but it's true) and the late lamented Groop Dogdrill, who, with their loping guitars, strident sneers for vocals and the most powerful rhythm section since Led Zep, actually prefaced Mclusky by a couple of years. Support Systems' drawn out noise is certainly reminiscent of that band's later efforts.

However, Mclusky are no man's poor seconds. For a start, they'd probably beat you up for suggesting it, but fortunately it's the truth, and Mclusky have sneaked in the back entrance to become one of the most exciting 'new' bands this year.