Irk The Purists
vs.
A Country Practice
On paper, a bit of a mismatch, as the lowest-ranked fastest loser comes up against one of the big guns. But there’s some 6Music-inspired momentum behind the underdog, and A Country Practice “only” came sixth in the qualifying stages.
Result
Irk The Purists 69
vs.
A Country Practice 163
chedgzoy
The easiest one yet. Did more people really vote for ‘Irk’ than ‘Look Dad’, ‘Uffington’ and ‘Bottleneck?’
6 May 2011
Martin
This could be the Manchester Utd vs Aylesbury Town of the round. I fear a drubbing for the part-timers from Irk The.
6 May 2011
dagenham dave
Indeed, if this was a boxing match it would be stopped in the first round.
6 May 2011
Harry Quinn
I’m with CHEDGZOY on this one – how did Irk the Purists get through? Random goth indeed!
6 May 2011
bomaya
What? You mean Uffington isn’t through?! I really better not look at the Group Stages had I? Has to be ACP – fury and anger never sounded so sweet.
6 May 2011
littlegrafter
My head says a no brainer, but still worth running the home from work play off that’s seen me through the week. And to be fair, Irk’ is Great. Not least the title, IRK when was that word EVER in a song title. “Michael Ball and The Fall”, “Husker Du Du Du”, this song must have been an absolute joy to write.
But, its up against a song that I’ve spent much of the last 15 years being obsessed about NOT hearing at gigs I was at, it seemed to be an almost personal vendetta from the boys. The texts I’d get from mates at gigs I wasnt at, reading just “ACP”… painful. Thankfully this hex was eventually broken last week in Leicester. And for this reason alone it has to be A Country Practice.
Also worth noting that it always seemed to encapsulate my 3 fave bands, The Fall in the verse, Wedding Present in the inst. chorus and HMHB all the way through, what better combination.
And dont even go near where is Ufiington Wassail, scandalous absolutely scandalous.
6 May 2011
Gareth in Canada
T for Triumphant, then
I am not confused
6 May 2011
incrediblestringbiscuitman
Us purists irk easily so we’re an easy target, but I’m always amused by this song so it gets my vote.
6 May 2011
aiwacat
I quite like a bit of drizzle, and I really like ACP.
6 May 2011
Pete T
I must be the only HMHB fan who doesn’t like a country practise? Irk gets my vote.
6 May 2011
Mac
ACP has everything. The complete all rounder.
Great base, sing along, chance for a rant,
6 May 2011
Gregg Z
Pete T, I concur–I’m a bit lukewarm on “ACP” (not even in my top 5 on that LP). I always feel I’m missing something when it comes to the greatness of this track. But then, I’m one of the few punters who doesn’t think “Hex Enduction Hour” is the greatest Fall LP ever.
Talk about Irking the Purists…
6 May 2011
Steve Malkmoose
Hex is The Falls 2nd greatest album, but we digress.
Irk is a very clever little song nipping at the heels of ACP but a good big un usually beats a good little un!
6 May 2011
TWO FAT FEET
As easy a decision for me as any in the round, but difficult in other ways. It wouldn’t be a challenger for my all-time favourite the way A Country Practice would, but Irk The Purists is a big favourite of mine and it’s a shame it looks likely to depart the scene so early. Particularly love the Husker Du Du Du business, and the way the title itself showcases Nigel’s talent to get the point across very economically.
But it would take something VERY special for me to vote against A Country Practice. Everyone is at the top of their game on this one, lyrically and musically. The line about the weather forecasters is right up there among Nigel’s very best.
6 May 2011
EzekialpunchedDanBrown
Underdog lover alert.
Screw A Country Practice – give me Love, give me Can, give me Meatloaf.
7 May 2011
Chief Exec
I’m backing this one to go all the way… could you really see ITP winning the whole thing?
9 May 2011
Paul F
Even if it got through this round I would keep voting against it. Just to irk the Irk the Purists purists.
9 May 2011
Kingsbeef
Total mismatch. Even with a lumpy pitch the Purists are going to lose by a shedfull
9 May 2011
Ferenc Puskás to you
I can’t agree with the sentiment that Irk is out of place in the knockout stages…..brilliant choices of artists loved by purists….but ACP gets the nod for me.
Still, I am of course just one bloke with a pierced dick.
11 May 2011
tomasz.
“Purists” is ace, but “A Country Practice” is pretty much my all-time favourite by them, absolute steamrolling lyrical brilliance. So that one, basically.
13 May 2011