Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bang, Bang, December 27, 2005
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.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stop buying your albums from the supermarket!, March 14, 2006
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.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Art Brut ... makes me ... want to ROCK OUT!, October 22, 2005
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.
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