368) Elastica - The Menace

I’m no Einstein, you have probably guessed that based on my writing but if I ever have a number one album (it’s doubtful if I am honest) I am not sure after it I would decide to take loads of drugs and let it all fall apart. However, loads do it and many will do it again and Elastica succumbed to that temptation.

The Menace arrived five years after their number one debut with drug problems and lineup changes happening and aborted recording attempts and seemingly banged out eventually in six weeks, listening that does not surprise me but that by no means is it a poor record.

Mad Dog God Dam starts with a dog barking funnily enough and over an industrial drum beat Justine shouts/raps and for the chorus the band join in, it’s all over the place and it’s great.

Generator is one minute forty of a quick easy riff a bit of quick keyboard and the end line of “see you later alligator,” yep, I’m in on this one.

I think I’ve mentioned a band called The Fall who have a brilliant track called How I Wrote Elastic Man, Elastica had added ex Fall man Dave Bush to their ranks, they got Mark E Smith in the studio, and we have How I Wrote Elastica Man, genius.

Image Change is a slowdown moment building with an almost whisper/talk vocal from Justine, nice. Your Arse, My Place not sure if there is a tune all the way through and quite a lot of shouting but there is something there and it’s a stupid title but so what.

If you like Wire’s I Am The Fly you will like Human, in fact Wire get a co-write such is the similarities but that’s never stopped Elastica before, hello The Stranglers.

Nothing Stays the Same, Justine as we know, can sing and she properly does here, it’s a simple song, minimal backing, same tempo throughout and Love Like Ours the backing reminds me of Rock Lobster but this builds and when the drums crash in the track steps up, magic.

KB they may be trying to get the words “fuck you” into a song more than anyone ever has but the guitar goes off after a minute to at least that improves the song, and Mr Mark E Smith is back.

My Sex never really goes anywhere but The Way, I Like It is acoustic in sound with a samba beat and interesting noises in the background, simple but effective and we end with a cover of Trio’s Da Da Da it’s nothing earth shattering but again Justine’s tone elevates it.

It sold nothing like the debut and was all over soon for the band and Justine seems pretty determined they will never be back, but I would love this on record, thoroughly enjoyable.

 8/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Love Like Ours