Different Bodies, Similar Minds

Future of the Left “Polymers Are Forever”

The obvious thing that Andy Falkous is very good at is making his making his voice hit the speakers with a blunt, violent force. This is especially powerful when paired with a sharp, stabbing riff, like the one found in the first half of this song. The less obvious thing that Falkous does well – and really, that’s kind of an understatement, he truly excels at this – is in constructing songs that cycle through a series of hooks before moving on to other ever-escalating melodic patterns. It’s an unusually sophisticated strength for a guy who essentially makes heavy, venomous punk rock.

“Polymers Are Forever” is split down the middle – the first half is more bludgeoning, his voice alternating between nasal hectoring and throaty shouts. The second half seems to expand in scale, with a quasi-anthemic chorus that seems to stretch out from close-up to widescreen panorama. (Structurally and tonally, it’s rather similar to Wire’s classic “Map Ref. 41°N 93°W.”) In this section, Falkous’ voice is more distant and pitiless, like an indifferent god. With this contrast, the implied violence of the first part seems almost warm and intimate – undeniably human. The rest of it, though – it’s all science.

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