Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Art Brut? Top of the Pops?, 17 May 2005
Art Brut could have been a gimmick. I worried this was the case after I first heard 'Formed A Band' last year. It was one of the best singles of 2004, and will probably go down in history as one of the best 1st tracks on an album, ever. It summed up Art Brut's mission statement: "We're gonna be the band that writes the song that makes Israel and Palestine get along" and quickly brushed aside any criticisms of frontman Eddie Argos' singing abilities: "yes, this is my singing voice, it's not irony, it's not Rock & Roll, we're just talking, to the Kids." It was a tiny little work of genius, and I loved it. But what if that was it? Yes, it's very clever how Eddie just shouts the lyrics, but is that all you've got? Thankfully, no, that is not all they've got. Firstly, yes, it is true that Mr. Argos is a man that cannot sing a note. But this is neither self-conscious, nor is it an "Others" style gimmick. His almost spoken word delivery is ideal for lyrics as witty, sarcastic and intelligent as these. He deals with a huge range of subjects, from the joys of young love (Emily Kane, Good Weekend) and the arts (Modern Art) to failures both general, (Stand Down) and sexual(Rusted Guns Of Milan). But this is not the Eddie Argos show, mind. His voice is set to some of the most insanely catchy little indie pop tunes you could ask for. With Eddie's happy vocals, and this jolly, bouncy music, you could be forgiven for taking Art Brut lightly. But you'll find yourself with a wicked grin on your face as you listen to them plough their way through track after track of poppy joy, all the while boldly, brutally gunning for the very institution that has embraced them- pop culture. This is perhaps most obvious on tracks like 'Bad Weekend', 'My Little Brother' and 'Bang Bang, Rock and Roll', but it runs through the veins of the entire album. Simply put, Art Brut have done something very rare- they have created good music, without compromising their ideas. Also, "I'm drinking Hennessy with Morrisey" is one of the best lyrics ever. Buy this album, and get Art Brut on Top of the Pops.
|
|
|
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pop culture no longer applies to me, 23 April 2007
There's just something so endearing about a band who announces on their first song: "Formed a band/we formed a band/look at us! We formed a band!" with a mixture of glee and winking confidence.
And it's just the warmup for this enthusiastic, energetic rock band, with their solid, peppy Britpop debut, "Bang Bang Rock & Roll." Their rollicking guitars are so infused with fun and over-the-top rock'n'roll sentiments that it's impossible not to be charmed.
A sizzling riff opens the first song, in which Eddie Argos announces that they've formed a band, and urges people to"Stop buying your albums from the supermarket/they only sell records that have charted." Then he adds with winking charm: "And yes, this is my singing voice. It's not irony, it's not rock & roll -- we're just talking.... to the KIDS!"
Turns out it's only the warmup -- next Art Brut focuses on the jangly, tight rhythms of how "My little brother just discovered rock & roll/There's a noise in his head, and he's out of control!"
From there, they trip off into a joyous round of tight Britpop odes to Emily Kane, bouncy little indiepop, and frolicking rock numbers that twist in on themselves during the catchy chorus. But they also try out some other sounds: the sunny Beach-Boysy pop of "Move to L.A.," and the weirdly ominous ballad "Rusted Guns."
At first, Art Brut sound like any other fun Britpop band. But their album blossoms the more you listen to it -- these lads have a tight grip on their brilliant instrumentation, and they know how to wink at us through their odd, somewhat repetitive lyrics.
The riffs in this album are simply stunning: they ring, buzz, bounce, and sizzle, tightly wound into solid tunes. They're paired with solid basslines and some smashing drums, along with some twisted keyboard and what sounds like stomping feet. Together, they form some deliciously dancy rock tunes, but they're complex enough to never get dull
At first, their lyrics sound kind of simplistic, and in a few songs they are. But listen carefully. They're a lot wittier than that: they take a few humorous jabs at L.A., the music industry, and derivative bands. And they know how to create beautifully over-the-top odes to a first love ("Every girl that I've seen since/looks just like you when I squint"), and the joy of rock'n'roll. Even a song about.... um, performance problems.
In fact, in some songs, they exude the delight of some teenage boys who are getting to have fun out on the town... with girls! In one song, Argos yells out joyously about a new girlfriend, "I've seen her naked.... twice!" Very cute.
Argos himself has a nice voice -- it's pleasantly ordinary, neither too smooth or too rough, and he can sing through quieter songs as well as the rollicking dancier ones. And occasionally he drops out of singing altogether, usually to deliver the best lines: "No more songs about sex and drugs and rock and roll / It's BOOOOORING!"
Art Brut's debut album is a fun, rollicking, laddish album of solid rock'n'roll tunes, delightful lyrics and solid singing. Definite;y a must-buy.
|
|
|
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Parody, power chords and perfect pop, 5 Feb 2006
The mighty Art Brut stand head and shoulders above the excellent crop of emerging British bands despite popular music being in it's healthiest state for two and a half decades. Their debut album, Bang Bang Rock and Roll sounds as though it has been recorded by the secret love-child of Pulp and Half-Man Half-Biscuit. The opening track, 'Formed a Band' perfectly parodies the exclusivity and pompous self-importatnce of today's stadium rock bands. Poking fun with lines like 'We're going to be the band that makes Israel and Palastine get along.' Every track on the album is strong but 'Emily Kane' and 'Brand New Girlfriend are two more highlghts in a very strong set. The band sound like they enjoyed every second of writing, rehearsing and recording this album and it is rare to find an act that can so skillfully merge humour, melody and power with such effortless aplomb. One of my three favourite albums of 2005. Enjoy!
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
