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Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock & Roll
Album Details
- Artist: Art Brut
- Album: Bang Bang Rock & Roll
- Label: Banana/Fierce Panda
- Year of Release: 2005
- ME Rating: Indie Classic
- Reviewed by: Emmy on 2009-11-13
- Viewed: 306 times
Art Brut had been kicking around on the London art-punk scene for a while before releasing this, and even though their brash sound should never have worked on record, somehow it just does. Their first offering is a treat, not just because of Eddie Argos' deadpan rendering of some truly excellent lyrics, but also because the whole vibe of the album is so damn fun.
With tracks like 'Emily Kane', (a man's longing for his childhood sweetheart) the whole feeling is very much that of an angsty punk complaint, complete with heavy rhythm and lots of cymbals. As a contrast, the next-door track, 'Rusted Guns of Milan' is about erectile dysfunction and has some of the funniest lyrics ever commited to vinyl - "I'm sorry!/ I'm so sorry./ Can I get you... a cup of coffee?" had me rolling. All the way through the album the lyrics are classy, clever and incredibly well-delivered, and this really adds to the happy-high you get from this album.
The other good offering from this album is the first thing you hear. It's called 'Formed a Band' and it's about as oxymoronic as songwriting gets, both lyrically and stylistically. Great riffs, a great sing-a-long and it still manages to be unlike anything you've heard before.
My favourite track though, has got to be number two, 'My Little Brother'. Blissfully sardonic lyrics, bubbly punk melodies from the guitar and the kind of drumbeat that defined an era of post modern music. Everything about this track is brilliant, right up the the final, slightly worried warning: 'stay/off/the crack'.
Add in more punchy guitar, clever backing vocals, appropriate squealing and deadpan humour with a touch of tenderness and you have the ultimate punk-pop package. It makes you want to sing and dance like a loon with a wry smile on your face as passers-by stare at you. It is just as funny when you know the lyrics inside out. Certainly one of my albums of the decade.
With tracks like 'Emily Kane', (a man's longing for his childhood sweetheart) the whole feeling is very much that of an angsty punk complaint, complete with heavy rhythm and lots of cymbals. As a contrast, the next-door track, 'Rusted Guns of Milan' is about erectile dysfunction and has some of the funniest lyrics ever commited to vinyl - "I'm sorry!/ I'm so sorry./ Can I get you... a cup of coffee?" had me rolling. All the way through the album the lyrics are classy, clever and incredibly well-delivered, and this really adds to the happy-high you get from this album.
The other good offering from this album is the first thing you hear. It's called 'Formed a Band' and it's about as oxymoronic as songwriting gets, both lyrically and stylistically. Great riffs, a great sing-a-long and it still manages to be unlike anything you've heard before.
My favourite track though, has got to be number two, 'My Little Brother'. Blissfully sardonic lyrics, bubbly punk melodies from the guitar and the kind of drumbeat that defined an era of post modern music. Everything about this track is brilliant, right up the the final, slightly worried warning: 'stay/off/the crack'.
Add in more punchy guitar, clever backing vocals, appropriate squealing and deadpan humour with a touch of tenderness and you have the ultimate punk-pop package. It makes you want to sing and dance like a loon with a wry smile on your face as passers-by stare at you. It is just as funny when you know the lyrics inside out. Certainly one of my albums of the decade.
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Review:
on 2009-07-31 Archelon Said:
Art Brut had been kicking around on the London art-punk scene for a while before releasing this, and even though their brash sound should never have worked on record, somehow it just does. Their first offering is a treat, not just because of Eddie Argos' deadpan rendering of some truly excellent lyrics, but also because the whole vibe of the album is so damn fun.
With tracks like 'Emily Kane', (a man's longing for his childhood sweetheart) the whole feeling is very much that of an angsty punk complaint, complete with heavy rhythm and lots of cymbals. As a contrast, the next-door track, 'Rusted Guns of Milan' is about erectile dysfunction and has some of the funniest lyrics ever commited to vinyl - "I'm sorry!/ I'm so sorry./ Can I get you... a cup of coffee?" had me rolling. All the way through the album the lyrics are classy, clever and incredibly well-delivered, and this really adds to the happy-high you get from this album.
The other good offering from this album is the first thing you hear. It's called 'Formed a Band' and it's about as oxymoronic as songwriting gets, both lyrically and stylistically. Great riffs, a great sing-a-long and it still manages to be unlike anything you've heard before.
My favourite track though, has got to be number two, 'My Little Brother'. Blissfully sardonic lyrics, bubbly punk melodies from the guitar and the kind of drumbeat that defined an era of post modern music. Everything about this track is brilliant, right up the the final, slightly worried warning: 'stay/off/the crack'.
Add in more punchy guitar, clever backing vocals, appropriate squealing and deadpan humour with a touch of tenderness and you have the ultimate punk-pop package. It makes you want to sing and dance like a loon with a wry smile on your face as passers-by stare at you. It is just as funny when you know the lyrics inside out. Certainly one of my albums of the decade.
Rating: 10/10
