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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Like most debut albums, Biffy Clyro's Blackened Sky functions as a sort of table of contents of its creators' record collections. In the case of this promising young Scottish trio, led by singer-songwriter Simon Neil, it's a safe bet that those collections would be assembled largely of American alternative rock of the late 1980s and early 90s, with particular emphasis on Nirvana, Fugazi and the Pixies. These influences can--and often do--result in supremely dreary records, less grunge than sludge, but Biffy Clyro are a good deal cleverer than that. They have an admirable knack for building songs on unorthodox time signatures without ever sounding fussy, and are able to shift from delicately drifting melodies to full throttle rock & roll without an audible grinding of gears--"The Go-Slow" and the winningly titled "Kill The Old, Torture Their Young" are particularly noteworthy in this respect. --Andrew Mueller
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By J. Groom
Format:Audio CD
I don't hand out 5 stars without a damn fine reason, and what a reason this is!
This album is quite simply one of the best I've heard so far this millenium. Its influences are kind of obvious - Nirvana, Pixies etc but it crafts them into a completely awesome sonic brew.
Biffy's command of song dynamics are masterful as is their ability to alter time signatures and tempos without it sounding in the slightest bit strange. Everybody knows the quiet-loud dynamic back to front but nobody does it like Biffy. One minute they sound like coldplay (but with more balls) and the next the guitars crash in over such emotive and raw vocals like a runaway juggernaut. If the hairs on your arms don't stand up on hearing the howl of 'I still feel the pain in my heart' (sounds cliched I know but it's all in the delivery) over crashing guitars on track '27', then you shouldn't be listening to rock music.
Quite simply if you don't own this album and you love powerful rock music, then you are seriously missing out. If you do then like me you probably fallen in love completely. All hail the mighty mighty Biffy Clyro!!!!!!
This album is quite simply one of the best I've heard so far this millenium. Its influences are kind of obvious - Nirvana, Pixies etc but it crafts them into a completely awesome sonic brew.
Biffy's command of song dynamics are masterful as is their ability to alter time signatures and tempos without it sounding in the slightest bit strange. Everybody knows the quiet-loud dynamic back to front but nobody does it like Biffy. One minute they sound like coldplay (but with more balls) and the next the guitars crash in over such emotive and raw vocals like a runaway juggernaut. If the hairs on your arms don't stand up on hearing the howl of 'I still feel the pain in my heart' (sounds cliched I know but it's all in the delivery) over crashing guitars on track '27', then you shouldn't be listening to rock music.
Quite simply if you don't own this album and you love powerful rock music, then you are seriously missing out. If you do then like me you probably fallen in love completely. All hail the mighty mighty Biffy Clyro!!!!!!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By "andy_abel"
Format:Audio CD
I bought this record on impulse and have never looked back. Full-on rock at heart, The Biff incorporate incredibly original and intelligent nuances to this fine collection of songs. Mellow, majestic clean guitars and heartfelt vocals can switch to rip-roaring guitars and agressive screams in a split second. It shouldn't work but it does. Time signatures frequently change, but it all hangs together with an incredible tightness.
Blackened Sky breaks the mould of conventional underground rock. Tracks to look out for: "joy.discovery.invention", "27", "justboy", "57", "christopher's river"
72 of 85 people found the following review helpful
By The Fault
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
I only came across Biffy Clyro after Puzzle was released and I loved that album so much I decided to explore the preceding albums. Blackened Sky is the debut, released on a minor label back in 2002. Out of the three albums prior to Puzzle, this is the album that has most in common with Biffy's current effort. But that doesn't mean it shares the same sound entirely. It has some very tender songs on here that are certainly worth listening and Biffy should be credited for not sticking to the same tried and tested formula - the variety between songs and albums is pretty huge. I love the tender songs on here, the best being "Joy.Discovery.Invention" and "Christopher's River", which are both truly excellent tracks (the latter being especially beautiful). I also quite like "27" and "Justboy" which are both very good.
However, the early Biffy liked to unleash a barrage of screams onto the listener which I hate. A lot of old Biffy fans seem to like this sound and dislike Puzzle, whereas I fall into the opposite camp. So my advice to other customers who are buying into the Biffy back catalogue on the strength of Puzzle alone, don't expect the same sound or anything anywhere near as accessible as Puzzle. Blackened Sky is easily the best of the rest after Puzzle and is far more accessible than The Vertigo of Bliss and Infinity Land but I can't hide the fact that I simply don't like the fits of screaming on this and the other two albums before Puzzle. To be fair, it's not so noticable on this album but you will certainly notice it on the other two. And just so you know I come from a rock background and have listened to plenty of heavy music in the past - Metallica, Megadeth, Seether, NIN, Disturbed - so I know heavy but I draw the line at mindless screaming and messy guitars.... Read more ›
However, the early Biffy liked to unleash a barrage of screams onto the listener which I hate. A lot of old Biffy fans seem to like this sound and dislike Puzzle, whereas I fall into the opposite camp. So my advice to other customers who are buying into the Biffy back catalogue on the strength of Puzzle alone, don't expect the same sound or anything anywhere near as accessible as Puzzle. Blackened Sky is easily the best of the rest after Puzzle and is far more accessible than The Vertigo of Bliss and Infinity Land but I can't hide the fact that I simply don't like the fits of screaming on this and the other two albums before Puzzle. To be fair, it's not so noticable on this album but you will certainly notice it on the other two. And just so you know I come from a rock background and have listened to plenty of heavy music in the past - Metallica, Megadeth, Seether, NIN, Disturbed - so I know heavy but I draw the line at mindless screaming and messy guitars.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this after seeing the '57' video on MTV2 sometime last year and was immediately impressed with the rest of the album. Considering there are only three band members, they do have a relatively big sound and considering the songs are fairly simplistic technically, they are wonderfully written. The whole album is very strong and its a tragedy that they havn't picked up more credit for being a fine young band. '57', '27', 'JustBoy', 'Christopher's River' and 'Scary Mary' are all fantastic songs, hopefully the 'Vertigo of Bliss' will get more airplay.
Bands like Biffy Clyro, Hell is For Heroes and Crackout certainly give me hope for the future, I hope more great young bands come through. Please God...
Bands like Biffy Clyro, Hell is For Heroes and Crackout certainly give me hope for the future, I hope more great young bands come through. Please God...
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
worth every penny. heartbreaking. beautiful and amazing. this is one of my favourite albums of all time. this and rage against the machine's debut album which is also a masterpiece. this album grows on you. P.S you should also check out theyre b-sides, especially for this album and only revolutions. most of their b-sides are better than the albums tracks so definately check out my listimania which has their best b-sides :D
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Tim B.S
Format:Audio CD
I find that the best bands dont build a song around the normal structure of verse, chorus,verse,chorus,3rd verse,chorus. What I love about this album is you can tell they have just got loads of riffs and shoved them in any order and don't care what anyone else thinks. That point is represented well on 'kill the old, torture their young,''hero management' and 'stress on the sky'. All though this album is a screwed-up, drug-addled, rock odessey, my one complaint is that alot of their songs sound the same. Apart from 'Scary Mary,' almost all of them start with a quite riff or chord sequence before bolting into thunderous rock. As well '27' and '57' both end with the lyrics 'it's alright' being repeated at the end. Ignoring that, this album is refreshingly different to alot of rock albums. If you want a more mainstream Biffy, then you want their album Puzzle.
And no, they don't sound anything like Foo Fighters.
Best songs: '27,' 'Kill The Old, Torture Their Young,' 'The Go-Slow' and '57'
And no, they don't sound anything like Foo Fighters.
Best songs: '27,' 'Kill The Old, Torture Their Young,' 'The Go-Slow' and '57'
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Perfectly crafted but unoriginal
It took a while for Biffy Clyro to break through, but that's because they took a long time to develop their own voice. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Patrick Neylan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Flawed Flawlessness
I got into Biffy on Infinity Land in 2006. I swiftly fell in love with the band, their unique rifts, twists on songs, and beautifully poetic lyrics. Read more
Published 4 months ago by BlackenedSky87
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT
I love the sound quality and the whole idea of owning vinyl. Looking forward to adding to my collection soon.
Published 4 months ago by Theresa O'Brien
5.0 out of 5 stars
BC blackened sky
A really great album with lots of feeling in the lyrics great riffs and melodies makes this a need to buy biffyclyro album
Published 5 months ago by Johneroberts
1.0 out of 5 stars
I purchased Biffy Clyro however the CD in the box was actually Kings...
I thought I was getting Biffy Clyro - Blackened Sky however when I put the CD on I realised it was actually a Kings of Leon CD in a Biffy Clyro case! Read more
Published 5 months ago by Holly Hanna
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beauty
Fantastic vinyl sound, as well as a perfect collectors item. Beautiful pack, and exclusive b-sides. A must have for the fan of old school biffy.
Published 9 months ago by B. Meecham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Release details
During 2012, Beggars Archive are releasing the original biffy clyro albums in expanded, double vinyl editions, starting with their 2002 debut, Blackened Sky. Read more
Published 14 months ago by S. J. Webbon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great CD
Bought for my son as a last minute birthday present as he is a huge Biffy Clyro fan - he loves the CD and can't wait for more!
Published 18 months ago by Rob
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blackened Sky
Very good debut album, if youve only heard the stuff off only revolutions then give the tracks a listen before buying but very good album from a very good band!
Published on 6 April 2010 by Iain Singleton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!
Been a fan of Biffy since the beginning... This album is still my favourite to date. Great stuff. So many great songs on here. Read more
Published on 13 Oct 2008 by Silvervexcebo
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