The Plot Against Common Sense
by Future of the Left
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
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  1. The A.V. Club
    Jun 12, 2012
    91
    Plot smoothes some edges and makes others more ragged, but the songs, shaped by the sharp guitars and martial drumming, are some of the strongest Falkous has ever written.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 14, 2012
    90
    The lyrics, meanwhile, continue to move FOTL up two or three rungs of excellence.
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Jun 13, 2012
    90
    It's their most accessible record both musically and lyrically.
  5. DIY Magazine
    Jun 11, 2012
    90
    It's entirely possible that by proving they can make anything their own, they've become one of Britain's best bands.
  6. musicOMH.com
    Jun 8, 2012
    90
    If you've any common sense, plot a listen soon.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    Jun 7, 2012
    90
    Not only does The Plot Against Common Sense reach and exceed those expectations, it only goes blows them out of the water. Into the sky. To the moon. And beyond... This is everything a Future of the Left album should be.
  8. Beats Per Minute
    Aug 10, 2012
    82
    The Plot finds the group building on their palate, zeroing in on the details more than ever before, meaning the straight up fidgety punk ("Sheena Is A T-Shirt Salesman"), keyboard-led silliness ("A Guide To Men") and the obligatory epic closer ("Notes On Achieving Orbit") are all better realised than their cousins on previous albums.
  9. Q Magazine
    Jul 25, 2012
    80
    It's big and clever; also bloody brilliant. [Aug 2012, p.98]
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  10. Kerrang!
    Jun 29, 2012
    80
    Rest assure, few bands combine hilarity and ferocity as well as Future Of The Left. [9 Jun 2012, p.54]
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  11. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jun 12, 2012
    80
    The Plot Against Common Sense finds FotL in fine form. It's Falkous' most eclectic crop of songs to date and stands out as a great guitar-rock album in a year that's seen its fair share of them already.
  12. Rock Sound
    Jun 12, 2012
    80
    A relentlessly insistent, unexpectedly danceable record which manages to be as engaging as it is wilfully bizarre.
  13. AllMusic
    Jun 11, 2012
    80
    The Plot Against Common Sense shows that Future of the Left are still fighting the good fight, even if the ranks have changed a bit.
  14. CMJ
    Jun 11, 2012
    80
    Those looking for simple, safe rock probably won't like The Plot Against Common Sense. But if you want to think while you thrash, give this one a spin.
  15. BBC Music
    Jun 25, 2012
    70
    Subversion of the most intelligent, insidious, inventive kind.
  16. PopMatters
    Jun 21, 2012
    70
    You won't mistake it for anyone else's, and an artist as singular as Falkous always deserves our attention.
  17. Alternative Press
    Jun 7, 2012
    70
    Come for the rock, but stay for Falkous' sarcasm-dripping bon mots. [Jun 2012, p.881]
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  18. No Ripcord
    Jun 7, 2012
    70
    It could do with one or two songs being trimmed, but there's enough variety to keep things engaging, if at times it lacks incisiveness. Still, my criticisms are largely comparing the band to their past work, which happens to be exceptional.
  19. Consequence
    Jun 22, 2012
    60
    It's rewarding if given the occasional spin but tiresome if spun too often.
  20. Pitchfork
    Jun 7, 2012
    60
    It's a shame that Falkous is playing to the cheap seats on The Plot Against Common Sense.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. AlexxTrusc
    Jul 24, 2012
    8
    "The Plot Against Common Sense" is album without a doubt outstanding among post rock suchlike ones. Future Of The Left on the release posted"The Plot Against Common Sense" is album without a doubt outstanding among post rock suchlike ones. Future Of The Left on the release posted extremely exuberant fifteen songs that were arranged in such a manner that the average - not too familiar with the hardcore listener could also find something for himself. And will for sure. Worth mentioning are for ex. great bass parts in "Beneath The Waves An Ocean" or farcical "Robocop 4 - **** off Robocop." Besides, humor is undoubtedly a great advantage of this album, which maintains a high level throughout almost all compositions. Worthy to know.… Full Review »
  2. RickFlairbombed
    Jul 9, 2012
    8
    Pretty good. Not on the same level as their last release with all the passable tracks (I'm looking at you Robocop 4: **** off Robocop, SorryPretty good. Not on the same level as their last release with all the passable tracks (I'm looking at you Robocop 4: **** off Robocop, Sorry dad I was late for the riots) but FOTL keeps on putting out good albums overall. The sound seems a bit more mainstream towards the middle tracks, Best tracks: Sheena is a T-shirt Salesman
    Failed Olympic Bid
    A Guide to Men
    Anchor    … Full Review »
  3. wobbly
    Jun 15, 2012
    10
    When he inevitably hits Hollywood, Falkous will slip naturally in to the part of the arch overlord's evil henchman. The henchman whoWhen he inevitably hits Hollywood, Falkous will slip naturally in to the part of the arch overlord's evil henchman. The henchman who dispatches the weak, the dubious, and the downright annoying with his sly, bombastic, and ultimately fatal pronouncements. Deep down we all want to be him - this album gives us a taste of what it will be like when we all eventually become him.… Full Review »
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