Description:
Welsh noiseniks Mclusky never really broke beyond a devoted cult following (albeit one including famed producer Steve Albini), so their demise after three albums (Mclusky Do Dallas, My Pain And Sadness Is More Sad And Painful Than Yours and The Difference Between Me And You Is That I’m Not On Fire) wasn’t widely noted a year ago. Nonetheless it’s now marked by a retrospective ‘best of’-style collection that will introduce the band to those who missed them at the time.
Which means?
Mclusky could probably be best described as shouty punk music, for fans of The Crocketts, Kinesis and early Manics. Sadly the music isn’t as inventive as their titles, but there are some inspired lines and plenty of energy and enthusiasm if not subtlety.  Mcluskyism is available as either a single CD ‘best of’ or a limited edition set including the a-sides and additional b-sides and rarities.
Is it much cop?
Well tracks like ‘Joy’ are hardly clever, they’re good, simple (if raucous) fun, and that’s what we like. As for the collection generally, it covers both slightly rawer early material, and the darker and more mature later stuff (not that there’s that much change), giving a pretty good impression of Mclusky’s brief career.
How many good tracks?
Surprisingly, I’d say half the tracks are probably mini-classics in their own right, with particular mention going to ‘Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues’, ‘Alan Is A Cowboy Killer’ and ‘That Man Will Not Hang’.
And the worst?
I’m not so keen on ‘1956 And All That’ or ‘Without MSG I Am Nothing’, and think both could probably have been jettisoned in favour of more worthy inclusions; but generally the point of a ‘best of’ is leaving out all those tracks which seemed a good idea at the time but didn’t quite work out in hindsight. Mclusky certainly won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but those who do like them should appreciate everything here.
Biggest disappointment?
Aside from not getting the full three CD set to review; it has to be said that with the twelve songs on offer here averaging little over two minutes each plenty more (‘The World Loves Us (And Is Our Bitch)’, ‘Fuck This Band’, ‘Your Children Are Waiting For You To Die’, ‘Rock vs. Single Parents’, ‘Problems Posing As Solutions’) could have been included… Mind you, a three CD set probably could’ve included all the band’s back catalogue including b-sides, but then there wouldn’t be much point having the albums too.
Verdict:
Mclusky were a typical ‘cult’ band, and wouldn’t have suited a wider fanbase. It’s pretty difficult to imagine any of these songs on the radio, but those of us who knew them knew something pretty special. Mcluskyism gives latecomers a good sample of their whole career, and as such makes a pretty definitive testament.
(4/5)

Release Date: 27 February 2006

---

Mcluskyism