FOT Forum
The Best Show on WFMU => Dear Tom => Topic started by: Sveden on June 04, 2009, 12:24:48 AM
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Tom,
Have you heard the new Future of the Left album, Travels with Myself and Another?
It is amazing. Stunning. And an overall solid entirety of work.
Give it a shot if you haven't already.
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Please [g]ive it a shot if you haven't already.
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I have to listen to Unmasked and Music from the Elder first. :'(
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Please [g]ive it a shot if you haven't already.
Did you get bored correcting peoples' grammar? Now you've moved on to manners?
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Arming Eritrea = Samir's song of the year so far, but you already knew that (http://areyougenehackman.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-know-my-own-worth.html).
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Did you get bored correcting people's grammar?
Yes.
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Haven't heard the whole album, but I concur with Samir that "Arming Eritrea" is pretty awesome. They were also pretty great when I saw them open for Ted Leo a while back.
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It'll be a cold day in Miami before you ever catch me saying not saying please and thank you where it is warranted.
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Did you get bored correcting people's grammar?
Yes.
I KNEW IT
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Here's the single.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAwliet2vqo
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I'm disappointed. I thought this thread was about the future of the left, in the wake of the EU elections.
It's a valid question.
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Mclusky were awesome, and Future of the Left are awesome. Enough said.
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I'm disappointed. I thought this thread was about the future of the left, in the wake of the EU elections.
It's a valid question.
I thought the same thing.
I hate the the adjective "awesome" it's played out.
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"Played out", meanwhile, remains timely and vibrant.
Word to your mother.
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"Played out" remains cool.
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So it's played out because your bored with it? Well you're played out... I feel awesome today!
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Regardless of whether you think played out is more played out than awesome (the camp I tend to side with), what remains indisputable is that the new Future of the Left album is great.
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Regardless of whether you think played out is more played out than awesome (the camp I tend to side with), what remains indisputable is that the new Future of the Left album is great.
I Do like camping.
It's awe(tire)some.
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i wrote about the album- http://bit.ly/1BTRWv
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U.S. tour starts mid July!
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U.S. tour starts mid July!
I bought tickets on Friday. Eff yes.
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This is exactly the kind of music 2009 needs. For today! For the future!
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Wow! I had never listened to them before I read this thread/Samir's blogpost. They are really great! I like.
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Based on the video for this thread I went and bought Curses but while at the record store I picked up the new Manchester Orchestra album based on a friend's suggestion and I love them both. Anyone else into M.O.?
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Anyone going to the show at Maxwell's or Johnny Brenda's?
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I saw Manchester Orchestra in Athens in March. I am not a huge fan of them- their vocals annoy the s-Hit out of me.
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Wow! I had never listened to them before I read this thread/Samir's blogpost. They are really great! I like.
glad to hear i'm winning some people over!
if you'd like to delve further, check out mclusky - the band that 2/3 of FOTL were in before.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCrv3ofNL8U
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I loved, loved, LOVED Mclusky. With this album, I think I might actually love FOTL more. Didn't see that coming.
You need Satan more than he needs you.
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The pertinent question, however, is does it fuck like a man?
Until that's answered, this thread cannot move forward.
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i would have shit my pants for this band around the time I was trying to escape the boredom of nyhc with bands like quicksand and inside out. I hear a lot of inside out, Rage, and helmet in this band. And that's okay. But I definitely only like it okay.
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Will any of you be going to the show at Maxwell's?
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It was a great show! I got lost in Jersey City, Kearny, and the town whose name escapes me in the area that starts with a W. I missed the opening act, unfortunately, but caught all of FOTL's set.
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Bought The Future of the Left's latest album based on this thread. Chin Music makes me want to punch my fist through the roof of my Fit.
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Saw them in Chicago Tues. night and it was the best rock show I've seen all year.
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Saw `em on Saturday at the Capitol Hill Block Party, and they were great. ALMOST great enough to counterbalance the horribleness of the rest of the Block Party, which was borderline intolerable.
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Saw `em on Saturday at the Capitol Hill Block Party, and they were great. ALMOST great enough to counterbalance the horribleness of the rest of the Block Party, which was borderline intolerable.
Hey, it looks like there were at least a few good bands there. I just saw the Black Lips for the first time at they were great.
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Saw `em on Saturday at the Capitol Hill Block Party, and they were great. ALMOST great enough to counterbalance the horribleness of the rest of the Block Party, which was borderline intolerable.
Hey, it looks like there were at least a few good bands there. I just saw the Black Lips for the first time at they were great.
The bands were good, but the Block Party itself wasn't organized very well. There were only two entrances/exits out of the party which resulted in huge bottlenecks since there were a boatload of people teeming around inside the perimeter. It was also pretty insufferably hot. Also, a lot of the people there were wearing shit that would have made me want to push them into thorny hedges, if there would have been any around.
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Saw `em on Saturday at the Capitol Hill Block Party, and they were great. ALMOST great enough to counterbalance the horribleness of the rest of the Block Party, which was borderline intolerable.
Hey, it looks like there were at least a few good bands there. I just saw the Black Lips for the first time at they were great.
Also, a lot of the people there were wearing shit that would have made me want to push them into thorny hedges, if there would have been any around.
Yeah, that sounds about right.
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Okay, please don't kill me, but I have one minor issue with "Travels With Myself And Another." And it is not so much an "issue" with the album...just a misalignment with my preferences.
The production is a little too clean for my tastes. It doesn't have to be like Iron & Wine-style lo-fi, but I do like a little grit.
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A bunch of my friends went to see them play here while i was out of town, and then they all sent me emails telling me how much fun the show was. Jerks.
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My friend Tyler is a pretty awesome photographer, and he managed to get some good pictures from the Block Party set:
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/awagster/5809_119028791168_549671168_2303715.jpg)
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/awagster/5809_119028796168_549671168_2303716.jpg)
Don't know how well you can tell from these pictures, but they (and everyone in the crowd) were sweating up a storm. yeesh.
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just got this album. the vocals are way too clean (the whole thing sounds way way too polished). i like some of the songwriting but the way its recorded makes this thing sound like System of a Down with keyboards.
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Todd, Did you see my post above? I felt the same way. That being said, the music and lyrics are strong enough that I am still listening to it and enjoying it despite the overly sanitary production.
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Todd, Did you see my post above? I felt the same way. That being said, the music and lyrics are strong enough that I am still listening to it and enjoying it despite the overly sanitary production.
I did see it and agree! It's a bummer because it's very close to being good. Go easy on the Noise Gates next time around, fellas.
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I dunno, guys... not every rock band needs to be a garage band. I'm really happy with the sound on Travels... maybe there's a ton of overdubbing (I can't really tell), but at least you can hear each part distinctly, and nearly everything that's being played is smart and interesting.
There's a ton of deliberately lo fi bands out that clearly chose to go that way because better production would reveal a lack of ideas. I'm glad I can hear the vocals on this --because they're fucking awesome-- and I'm glad I can make out the lyrics without a lyric sheet.
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I dunno, guys... not every rock band needs to be a garage band. I'm really happy with the sound on Travels... maybe there's a ton of overdubbing (I can't really tell), but at least you can hear each part distinctly, and nearly everything that's being played is smart and interesting.
There's a ton of deliberately lo fi bands out that clearly chose to go that way because better production would reveal a lack of ideas. I'm glad I can hear the vocals on this --because they're fucking awesome-- and I'm glad I can make out the lyrics without a lyric sheet.
Fair enough. Just a preference, I guess. It's not the vocals for me, but rather the guitar. It sounds like, well, a computerized version of a guitar.
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Yeah, I can see that. I think it was a deliberate choice, too... the songs where they substitute in the synth don't sound all too different from the guitar-based ones.
I like it a lot, but it's pretty obnoxious.
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I agree-- I've obviously got a pro-FOTL bias, but to compare them to Rage Against the Machine, or especially System of a Down is just ridiculous. I concede that the album does have a pretty produced sound to it, but comparing them to either of those two bands is crazytalk.
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FOTL are to rock music what the Best Show is to radio.
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They're playing NYC again in October!
http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com/event/3531
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Friday October 30th. Any takers? I will certainly be at this event!
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November 3 in Toronto. I'm there.
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I'm so bummed because their show in Atlanta is 21+. Poo.
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wish I could, but i am out of town at work.
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FOTL are to rock music what the Best Show is to radio.
That is the most bizarre overstatement about a band I've ever heard.
(knee-jerk response alert)
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FOTL are to rock music what the Best Show is to radio.
That is the most bizarre overstatement about a band I've ever heard.
(knee-jerk response alert)
You are not correct!
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They played Minneapolis last night to end their US tour. Amazing. The smart-ass stage banter these guys come up with should be compiled, Paul Stanley style.
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It's not really a contest. You can enjoy whatever music you want, it's okay.
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I'm just a grizzled old fart
Terrible Image in my mind now, much obliged.
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It's not really a contest. You can enjoy whatever music you want, it's okay.
you're right. i was just being grouchy. comment deleted.
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i would have shit my pants for this band around the time I was trying to escape the boredom of nyhc with bands like quicksand and inside out. I hear a lot of inside out, Rage, and helmet in this band. And that's okay. But I definitely only like it okay.
I'm not one to slag things on appreciation threads, but, seriously, Mclusky might have been exciting around the time Gang Of Four was around - not referring to the vocals.
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i would have shit my pants for this band around the time I was trying to escape the boredom of nyhc with bands like quicksand and inside out. I hear a lot of inside out, Rage, and helmet in this band. And that's okay. But I definitely only like it okay.
I'm not one to slag things on appreciation threads, but, seriously, Mclusky might have been exciting around the time Gang Of Four was around - not referring to the vocals.
You're so brave for going against your nature... to speak truth to power.
I commend you, sir! You're a man among men.
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Honestly, I meant no personal offense by my comment, I doubt I could say the same about you.
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I don't see the point of your comment. The only thing I see it accomplishing is the creation of hierarchies and ingroup/outgroup relationships. It's not even in the form of an aesthetic criticism. You're not saying anything that's making me understand your lack of enjoyment.
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Boy did this thread just take a turn down Suck Avenue.
TO GET IT BACK ON TRACK: anyone see the AV Clubs listing of the best albums? I was kinda surprised to see Mclusky on there, but it was neat!
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NICE!
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I don't see the point of your comment. The only thing I see it accomplishing is the creation of hierarchies and ingroup/outgroup relationships. It's not even in the form of an aesthetic criticism. You're not saying anything that's making me understand your lack of enjoyment.
I dunno, what I heard of the interaction between drums, guitar and bass in McClusky reminded me of some old Gang of Four songs. I love Gang of Four, just not sure I need to hear anyone else doing it. I can play Mutant Pop or Entertainment! anytime I want. Mclusky may not remind anyone else of Gang of Four, it could just be me, so who knows?
Aesthetic criticism? Of Mclusky? Why don't you go first? Where would you begin? Is there anything notable about them, aesthetically, that I'm missing? Did others in this thread post about aesthetics? It all sounded like, "awesome!" "awesome!" "I saw them!" to me.
I mean, empty sockets wrote:
I dunno, guys... not every rock band needs to be a garage band. I'm really happy with the sound on Travels... maybe there's a ton of overdubbing (I can't really tell), but at least you can hear each part distinctly, and nearly everything that's being played is smart and interesting.
There's a ton of deliberately lo fi bands out that clearly chose to go that way because better production would reveal a lack of ideas. I'm glad I can hear the vocals on this --because they're fucking awesome-- and I'm glad I can make out the lyrics without a lyric sheet.
In terms of what you can do in a recording, what I heard of FOTL sounds like a straight forward representation of a rock band, which is an aesthetic, I guess, but rather unremarkable, maybe even unambitious, but certainly very "professional" sounding. There isn't really a lot to talk about there, is there?
Also all I can comment on is their recordings, I haven't seen them live, but even live I'd be hearing them alongside room acoustics/PA artifacts, etc.
Emptysockets uses words like "smart" and "interesting", is this what passes for aesthetic criticism? He holds this type of recording above those of garage or distorted bands, maybe since it suggests a transparent quality, reflecting a faithful recording of a live band (whatever that is).
Personally, I find the element of distortion found on, say, Blank Dogs, Times New Vikings recordings quite striking. Distortion, tape hiss, mic\room colorisation etc., which make you aware that it's a recording, give personality, in my opinion, mud (Phil Spector?).
There's no need to suspect there's an attempt to hide a lack of ideas on non-linear recordings, just the opposite, something new is created, removed from the original sounds. I find it pretty amazing when distortions enhance an artist's songs to the point where you don't even care about the band as much as just the way the record sounds. Hearing the sum of parts, and not just "each part distinctly" is what can make it special.
Emptysockets makes a lot of generalizations, referring to a "ton of lo-fi bands". Which bands? Do you want to get into a discussion about that?
At the end of the day, it's all what you like. Nothing's better than anything else.
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Sounds like McClusky are going for something different from what you enjoy. Perhaps you'd enjoy them more in the context of what it is that they're going for as opposed to in the context of what you want out of them. It sounds like an Andrew WK sort of thing to say, but I agree with him on that particular point.
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I always felt McLusky were after an AmRep style production. I'd say they were closer to Brainiac (flailing, hyperactive, unhinged) than GO4 (deliberate, cerebral) too and even then it's some way off.
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Yeah, that might've come out a bit more snarky then I intended, fletcher. Still, for future reference, it looks a bit silly to write, "I don't normally criticize things," right before you criticize something. Own your feelings!
That said, I stand by my prior statement. FOTL sound almost nothing like Gang of Four to my ears, apart maybe from prominent bass lines.
And I'm not sure what's so hugely original about Times New Viking, if originality is the thing you want to focus on. Couldn't I just as easily say, "Times New Viking would sound original if I hadn't heard Guided By Voices and Television Personalities first?" That their songs are fine, but pretty simple, and blah blah blah. That argument goes nowhere, and it's just a game of, "Who's got the biggest music appreciation penis?"
What I find compelling about FOTL has a lot more to do with the odd structures of their music, and the lyrics. (If you need specifics, fine, but I'd rather not get that wonky.) The production works to enhance or emphasize the qualities of this particular recording. I wasn't making a statement about the general worth of said style of production. The low fi thing works great for a lot of bands, but I don't find it interesting in and of itself.
Also, I have no idea what you mean by non-linear recordings. Does it have something to do with the book Infinite Jest, maybe?
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Come on Rick!
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emptysockets, listening to a shitload of Mayhem and doing a stupid amount of blue may be clouding my musical judgment.
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emptysockets, listening to a shitload of Mayhem and doing a stupid amount of blue may be clouding my musical judgment.
Now THAT is a totally reasonable excuse. You are forgiven!
Just don't burn down any churches.
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Demos of new songs! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Future-Of-The-Left/9028949028 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Future-Of-The-Left/9028949028)
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Thanks for this thread guys! I was totally unaware of FOTL and especially Mclusky until today. Just downloaded Mclusky Does Dallas. This stuff is right up my alley. I'll be getting some FOTL as soon as I can too. I just may have a new favorite band(s).
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you need scharpling more than he needs you
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Those demos sound great-- I can't wait for the new record!
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A new EP: http://itunes.apple.com/album/polymers-are-forever-ep/id474260094?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1 (http://itunes.apple.com/album/polymers-are-forever-ep/id474260094?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1)
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It took a couple of listens to grow on me, but I like it. Looking forward to the new album next year, too.
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Only the eponymous song on the EP will be on the album. That means 14 new songs!
http://futureoftheleftv2now.blogspot.com/ (http://futureoftheleftv2now.blogspot.com/)
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New music video plus album release date:
http://www.nme.com/nme-video/future-of-the-left---sheena-is-a-t-shirt-salesman/1475649512001 (http://www.nme.com/nme-video/future-of-the-left---sheena-is-a-t-shirt-salesman/1475649512001)
Out May 28th!
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Two weeks! Here's another track from the album: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/13554-i-am-the-least-of-your-problems/ (http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/13554-i-am-the-least-of-your-problems/)
They're also doing a show in NYC on June 17th:
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=4603465 (http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=4603465)
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Welp, the new album is out. I think it's pretty great, unsurprisingly. The new version of "Notes on Achieving Orbit" slays, and despite what Pitchfork thinks, "Robocop 4: Fuck Off, Robocop" is amazing, in a brutal sort of way. The album as a whole feels like a cross between "Curses" and "The Difference Between Me and You Is That I'm Not On Fire". Good stuff!
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New crowdfinanced album in the works: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/futureoftheleft (http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/futureoftheleft)