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Product Description
Review
Scottish three-piece Biffy Clyro certainly don't hang about when it comes to bashing out new records. Unlike most bands who release an album perhaps once every two to three years, these hard sloggers completely break the mould by releasing an LP every 12 months. The amazing thing is that Infinity Land, their third record, sounds so complex at times that you'd have thought it would have taken them years to complete.
The album, which was produced by the band and with the help of Foo Fighters and Feeder producer Chris Sheldon, is crammed with 13 sprawling songs that are a testament to the Scottish trio's work rate.
The genius of Infinity Land is the band's ability to lace sweet sounding melodies with brutal guitar riffs, heavy drum-rolls and unpredictable stop start arrangements.
The aptly titled opening track 'Glitter And Trauma' is a fine example of this, kicking off with a series of scratchy dance beats before bursting into meaty guitar hooks set against singer Simon Neil's gentle vocals. At times he almost sounds like Queens Of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme.
But any further comparison ends there. From here on in Neil's vocals switch from harmonious ('The Atrocity') to full on screeching ('Strung To Your Ribcage'). Despite the former track's gentle approach, the words are extremely desolate as the haunting lyrics: 'I don't wanna die. Don't expect me to die', clearly reinforce. This is mirrored in the traumatic 'Wave Upon Wave' where Neil talks about a knife in his hand covered in blood.
Nearly every song is unpredictable. Even the album's heaviest number 'Theres No Such Thing As A Jaggy Snake' completely trips you up with its melodic twists.
As a result Biffy Clyro can only be applauded for pushing the boundaries so brilliantly. Infinity Land is without doubt the band's finest material to date. --Damian Jones
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Biffy have gone and done it again.
I wasn't the most certain of this album when I first listened to it. A couple of the tracks jumped out at me immediately, and I was a huge fan of the single Glitter and Trauma; but the album as a whole didn't strike me as particularly good.
But first impressions can be deceiving and I was oh so wrong. So wrong indeed! I have to warn you now though, the only way I can do this review properly is to compare to Biffy's earlier work. So if you don't know it well, then "these words won't help you if you're looking for answers".
This is quite simply the most varied, intelligent, unpredictable and accomplished album I have ever heard. Starting off with the Eightiesesque dance rock anthem "Glitter and Trauma", with a typical thumping Biffy baseline after the amazing anticipatory (real word?) minute long intro; and finishing with the quiet majesty of "Pause it and Turn it Up", this album never lets go of your brain and eardrums and you just have to jump up and joiun in the lyrics in true Biffy tradition. The music "twists and turns, wrapping around me" as Simon shrieks in "Jaggy Snake", one of the more complicated tracks that took me a few listens from when I first heard it live to 'get', but I love it now.
As for the rest of the tracks, "Strung to your Ribcage" is a frantic warped love song that rips along at breathtaking pace, "Got Wrong" is a grungier almost Weezerlike song of a similar loudness, while sandwiched between them is the catchy cheekiness of recent hit single "My Recovery Injection". Following this raucous start, Biffy pause for breath with the beautifully sad "The Atrocity", which sees Simon sounding his most Scottish ever. A good thing if you ask me.
Next up is the surely classic-in-waiting "Some Kind Of Wizard", which recalls such previous Biffy wonders as "The Go-slow", while the explosive time changes and sensational melodies also display just how far the band have come in only three years. Following this is "Wave Upon Wave Upon Wave". Words cannot do this song justice. Its like a better "Liberate the Illiterate". And that was one of my top 3 alltime Biffy songs.
The rhythm then changes with the awesome baseline and jangling guitars of "Only One Word Comes To Mind", followed by "Man from Crasp". This latter is bizarre; with no music only Simon, Ben and James singing in choral harmony; but strangely compelling. This immediately breaks into the cracking riff of "Jaggy Snake".
Then, the glory of the most magnificently titled song of all time - "The Kids From Kibble and the Fist Of Light". The song even does the title justice, flying along with roaring guitars and the jazzy chorus, before splintering off into some introspective trumpet (!!!) and the sensational repeated line of 'these strange explosions hit me like a fist of light". Magical.
Then to round off, we have the big band start and great ending of "The Weapons Are Concealed" followed by the aforementioned contemplation of "Pause it and Turn it Up". There is also a bonus track, consisting of Simon reading a great little poem over a background of raucous static guitar feedback. Its not pretty on the ears, but makes sense.
In summary, if you are looking for a bland, by the numbers record with one or two poppy choruses, don't buy this album. However, if you aren't afraid to try new things, to listen to bands who aren't afraid to push boundaries, experiment, and just generally have a good time while doing it, get this album. It may take several listens, but once you get it, it will be a friend for life.
Of course, if you love the Biffy already, what the hell are you waiting for?
"Do You Believe In Magic?" After this you may just.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Like Biffy's previous 2 albums I found Infinity Land hard to get to grips with at first and it can often be a frustrating listen; just when you think they're on to something accessible and superb in a particular song it changes via strange time signatures and angular guitars into something completely different and more challenging. You may begin to doubt the album if you are new to the band but the rewards for repeat listening are huge - the album reveals itself to be a truly superb piece of work and, in my opinion, the best of 2004.
Simon Neil's vocals range from fits of screaming to soothing harmonics but always convey pure passion. The music is hard to classify but is rooted in hard guitar indie/indie punk. The melodies swerve and dodge making for a totally gripping aural experience. This non-linear approach keeps the music fresh and there is always something new to discover and a new favourite song to pick!
Very highly recommended.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Biffy Clyro are a mixture of various music styles, ranging from post-indie and punk to hard rock and metal. However overall I would class them as a heavy rock band with many influences.
Every song is brilliant on this album, there isn't a reason to skip to your favourite, because they're all so brilliant. The lyrics are unique and never tiresome either, backed up with musical and instrumental genius.
Many people may be put off by the singers unpredictable singing style, which ranges from very mellow and calm, then suddenly bursting into fits of screaming and swearing. But don't let this put you off. the songs are all the better for it, trust me...
Every song is brilliant on this album, there isn't a reason to skip to your favourite, because they're all so brilliant. The lyrics are unique and never tiresome either, backed up with musical and instrumental genius.
Many people may be put off by the singers unpredictable singing style, which ranges from very mellow and calm, then suddenly bursting into fits of screaming and swearing. But don't let this put you off. the songs are all the better for it, trust me...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wow! Arguably Biffy's best album!
The first two of Biffy Clyro's albums have been excellent, with Blackened Sky's somewhat more 'accessible' poppy sound with classics such as Justboy, Convex, Concave and 57, to the... Read more
Published on 7 April 2009 by A. McKenzie
great album from the scottish trio
After seeing biffy live at download 05 and being pretty unimpressed i left them there,or so i thought but reading good reviews on them and hearing from a friend or two that they... Read more
Published on 23 April 2007 by sean paul mccann
Played Live
I just wanted to say that the above reveiws do not give Biffy Clyro full justice, in my opinion, they are a band that you have to see live as well as have the CDs. Read more
Published on 4 July 2005 by Big Fan of Biffy
biffy mature well, like a fine cheese
'Infinity Land' is unmistakeably Biffy Clyro. Retained are the harmonies, the guitars sound the same and even the style of music is the same, but if anything the constant touring... Read more
Published on 21 Jun 2005 by B. Marwood
Hardly Blackened Sky but still good
OK... I first heard of Biffy through a slighty weird, incredibly eccentric friend. She let me borrow Blackened Sky and I put it onto my Creative JukeBox (remember, this was before... Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2005 by S. Taylor
sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good
I've listened to it almost constantly since its release and i'm not bored yet! Easily as good as "vertigo of bliss". Some truely memorable songs. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2005
i wasn't a fan at first but i've jumped the bandwagon now!
Firstly I'd like to apologise to my friend for slagging off this band two years ago after hearing their debut "Blackened Sky. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2005 by "dimorphodon"
Just Gets Better
I'd heard 'My Recovery Injection' before and liked what i heard so i went and brought the Album. And this is one the the few albums where it simply gets better and better. Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2004
theres no such thing as a poor biffy album
to start with, i apologise for that title, its a bit obvious frankly. but there you go.
immaculate album, truly. not a poor track. Read more
immaculate album, truly. not a poor track. Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2004
To Infinity Land and beyond
Oft described as the Scottish Nirvana, Biffy Clyro have the same almost effortless ease with generating radio friendly hooks in heavy songs. Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2004 by Isaac Ashe
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