Customer Reviews

Bang Bang Rock & Roll

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In the summer of 2005, I stumbled upon Art Brut when I read some rave reviews about their debut, "Bang, Bang, Rock N' Roll", in several online music mags. While I tried to fight off insomnia on this otherwise non-descript, humid night, the reviews I read made me curious to see just what these Brits had to offer my already deep music collection. The reviews, much like the one you are reading right now, were all rather pretentious and because of the apparent character of the people who penned them, I was skeptical about whether or not Art Brut was for me. I felt like these guys might merely be yet another semi-talented group of hacks rammed down my throat by the music snob elite. It turns out I was skeptical for a good, albeit very different, reason. When I gave "Bang, Bang" its first spin I was initially confused. These guys couldn't be frickin' serious, could they? The musicianship on the first track, "Formed a Band", didn't go any further than Art Brut hammering out a simple three chord song with a punk aesthetic. The lead singer, if you could even call frontman Eddie Argos that, never crooned; Argos merely spoke his lyrics into the microphone in a pronounced English cockney. And yet the music was catchy as hell and to my surprise, it had me smiling instantly. In a display of bravado and cockiness typically exhibited by the anti-Argos, Liam Gallagher, at an Oasis concert, Art Brut were actually taunting me on record and it was spectacular and fun. But the good times didn't stop with "Formed a Band". The next track, "My Little Brother", with its tale of late-bloomer rock fan angst had me cackling like the sleep-deprived lunatic I really am. Things got really interesting when Art Brut ripped into the third track, Emily Kane. I can not describe how wonderful a pop song "Emily" is. It manages to roll up sadness, comedy, innocence, and ferocity in a few minutes that blister. As a fan of the genre, it is tough not to love "Bang, Bang, Rock N' Roll". Rarely will a band get away with sticking its tongue this far into your cheek. Don't believe me? Check out the album highlight, "Moving to L.A." and you'll be hooked.

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.

Eddie Argos' humorous lyrics and sometimes-sung, mostly-spoken vocals may initially make Art Brut seem like a novelty band or some kind of parody, but don't be fooled. Novelty acts get stale after the surprise wears off, but this album just gets more delightful with each listen. Strong melodies abound ("Bad Weekend" and the geniunely touching [yes, really] "Emily Kane" are standouts) and the band plays their smartly-constructed Britpop with an enthusiastic, punkish edge. If you like Britpop at all, don't be scared away by the unconventional frontman; you owe it to yourself to check out this outstanding record.

This album blows me away. It's so simple but so powerful. I can't imagine waiting for it to be released in the U.S. I had to order it. I can no longer imagine my CD collection without it. I'm not much for describing what makes music good, but there's just something about these songs that does it for me. They're so energetic, but the pace never gets tiring. They're funny, but not smarmy and annoying, and you get the feeling that they're just incidentally funny, not like the band was trying too hard. Even though they're funny, it's in a satirical kind of way; I won't say it's social commentary, because that's way too grand for the kind of statements these guys are making, but it's kind of like that. And these songs rock hard, but not in a motononous kind of way. The lyrics are great, the hooks are infectious, and basically it all adds up to a really fun record that refuses to get old for me. I could listen to "Formed A Band," "Modern Art," "Good Weekend," "Bang Bang Rock N Roll" and "Moving To LA" over and over all day. Maybe I will. You can't stop me.

This album is a genuine piece of art rock. It has the attitude of an artist, an masterful insight on the everyday worries of a rock star wannabe, full of dreams and projects that are not "dreamy" but fueled by the old combination of "music, sex and rock and roll". The sound, pure indie rock, distorted guitar and a singing voice so disctinctive that you wont forget after you listed to it once (and BTW, the front man is not singing, almost, is more like he's talking and telling you a short story of the life of a banda that is going to be big!).

Higly recomended, a shame no one has reviewd such a good album yet.

This is great. I would highly recommend paying the extra to import this. Superb debut album. Very funny tongue in cheek lyrics, often some very thoughtful and uplifting ones too. Oh, and the music is outrageously ass kicking and fun! Great to hear a band not take themselves so seriously and make something greatly fun.

Funny, deceptively simple, hard-driving songs with big anthemic hooks that'll have you singing along in your living room. Not since hearing early Talking Heads for the first time can I remember this kind of smile coming to my face.

Jesus, I love this album/band. Before I start let me just say EDDIE IS SEX thankyouverymuch :DDDDD The Art Brut official website said that the album will be released in the US soon but I couldn't wait so I ordered it off here. :P

Every song on this album is packed with energy and I can't wait till they tour the US so I can see them live!! It'll be absolutely amazing. They're like a big amazing energy-filled, pure, honest, un-fooled-around-with awesomefest of English punk. Bang Bang Rock and Roll indeed!!!

My cat loves this record. He says it's cool and fun and "Emily Kane" kicks some serious butt. He says for you to give it a try, and then give it a second and third listen, and when you're hooked you should send him some nice cat treats as thanks for hooking you up with Art Brut.

I heard this band last year and have loved them since I heard "Formed A Band." I have seen them play several times. It was one of the most exciting shows I have witnessed. I even saw them when they were on Jimmy Kimmel. This band, along with The Cribs, are among my favorite new UK bands. This record has been out a while in the UK, and is only coming out now in America in July 2006. All the songs are clever stories. "My Little Brother" is about a young person's discovery of music. "Emily Kane" is about lost love. "Rusted Guns Of Milan" is about bad sex. "Modern Art" reminds me of Bongwater. "Good Weekend" is a song about new love. "Bang Bang Rock & Roll" is a song against all these bands trying to be the Velvet Underground. "Moving To LA" is a funny song about dreaming of better places. I was there when Art Brut first played this song in Los Angeles. It was hilarious. All these songs have evolved overtime too. "Bad Weekend" has the great line "Popular culture no longer applies to me." The song "18,000 Lire" is a song about a robbery. This album is more like a set of short stories than a record. The American version of this great album has three more songs. They are a little like Pulp and a little like Bongwater. This is a great album. It has lost none of its power.