When reviewing Words On Music's re-issue of Nebraska trio FOR AGAINST'S debut album "Echelons" a little while back, W&H struggled to comprehend that a band so obviously Anglophile in their moody, early '80s leanings could possibly hail from the open spaces of the American midwest. Housed in a sleeve that resembled the work of a Russian revolution-influenced Peter Saville, that first record occupied the same bleak, anthemic territory that the likes of The Wake and The Sound patrolled so well in the first half of that much-derided decade.
So, in terms of familiarity, FA'S second album "December" is less of a smack in the chops for a seasoned journo who's since been able to re-align his perception, but that still fails to alter the fact it's another broody and bracing affair from a trio who have sporadically maintained their homegrown indie campus darling status ever since.
Originally released by the Independent Project label in 1988, "December" has been lovingly re-issued by the diligent Words On Music imprint with another classy gatefold sleeve, more photos of FA'S classic original line-up (Jeffrey Runnings - bass/ vocals, Harry Dingman III - guitars and Greg Hill - drums, percussion) lookingly suitably furrowed of brow and another set of nine turbulent anthems where emotions run high and happy endings are debatable at best.
And, while stylistically, "December" is no great leap out of the shadows that collected so relentlessly around "Echelons", to this reviewer's overworked ears it's arguably the stronger, more consistent set, with the trio playing with an intuitive energy and understanding that can only come from dragging your set around all the midwest towns that will tolerate your collective hide for the previous 12 months.
Like "Echelons", "December" gets off to an impressive start thanks to the stinging double whammy of "Sabres" and "Stranded In Greenland". The former has the brooding cut'n'thrust that The Sound were still attaining with the great "Thunder Up", while "Stranded In Greenland" (arguably this hack's fave track here) is every bit as lonely and angst-ridden as the title suggests, but equally atmospheric, propulsive and urgent as you like.
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Third tune "Svengali" is a further boon, pitting Dingman's crystal clear, ringing guitar against Runnings' accusatory vocals and Hill's hollow drumming and recalling early REM en route. As with "Echelons," though, there is a temptation to remove the pedal from the metal and "December"s mid-section ("They Said" and "The Effect", especially) tends toward the plodding and monochrome. The bleak, neo-hymnal title track initially seems incapable of stopping the rot, but it gradually builds a determined crescendo and hints at a previously hidden sense of humour as it flirts with a snatch of The Beatles' "Ticket To Ride" in the fade.
From there, it's a steady climb back up to a firmer plateau thanks to tracks like the mordant, but aggressive "The Last Laugh" (very good, lads) where an animated Runnings blurts "you gave me a cat that's crazy! you gave me a nervous breakdown!" and the tense, nervy "Clandestine High Holy" which serves itself well by reining in a tendency to err towards the epic.
"December", then, still comes on like the missing transatlantic link between the implosion of kindred English spirits such as The Chameleons and The Sound and the arrival of the new shoegazing/ dream pop brigade such as Kitchens Of Distinction and The Pale Saints. At times it can be as wintry as its' title suggests, but elsewhere it's exhilarating and heart-warming and overall more than confirms its' status as a fan favourite.
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