Tony Pascarella
02/12/06, 08:58 AM
Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock & Roll
Release Date: May 26, 2005
Record Label: Fierce Panda (US Import Only)
Do you like those trashy, all too filling nouveau-British invasion bands that have been tearing up the charts over here in the States? If not, stop reading right now. Otherwise, get ready for the zany tales from South London’s Art Brut. Led by dorky vocalist Eddie Argos, the band has put out a handful of singles, samplers, and demos over the past two years. They finally dropped their first full release, Bang Bang Rock & Roll, in May of 2005.
“Look at us, we formed a band,” blurts Art Brut’s overly giddy frontman during the first part of “We Formed A Band.” The band aims high with songs like this, despite the overused repetition of lyrics. With “We Formed a Band” sounding a bit like The Streets with a full rock ‘n roll band, Art Brut seeks to capitalize off the things that made their countrymen so successful in America. “Good Weekend” is the current single off the CD, the flamboyant face of Bang Bang Rock & Roll characterized by thrashing drums and a growling bass line, which evolve into bubble-gum guitar riffs, fluttering harmonies and gang vocals galore. “18,000 Lira” is a rollicking kick in the ass for the album, both in terms of energy and lyricism. Overly short (only 1:13), the song uses squealing riffs and a rock-out chorus to be as effective as possible in such a short timeframe. Including the romantically misguided “Emily Kane,” Bang Bang Rock & Roll has a handful of dance-alongs up its sleeve, and it is definitely worth a listen if you’re interested so far.
Art Brut brings the buzzing energy and the requisite gimmicks, but as a whole, this album seems a bit like a selection of singles as opposed to a cohesive disc. There are some blissfully fun numbers, however some songs like “Moving to L.A.” are musically sincere, but fall flat in the end. If you enjoy a decently entertaining album, it might behoove you to check out Bang Bang Rock & Roll, but the CD isn’t overly impressive as a self-contained unit.
Art Brut is recommended to fans of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Bloc Party, and The Rakes.
Buy Art Brut's Bang Bang Rock and Roll on iTunes (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=PjIvm57kicI&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos. apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStor e.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%25 3D153779936%2526id%253D153779933%25 26s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 )
Release Date: May 26, 2005
Record Label: Fierce Panda (US Import Only)
Do you like those trashy, all too filling nouveau-British invasion bands that have been tearing up the charts over here in the States? If not, stop reading right now. Otherwise, get ready for the zany tales from South London’s Art Brut. Led by dorky vocalist Eddie Argos, the band has put out a handful of singles, samplers, and demos over the past two years. They finally dropped their first full release, Bang Bang Rock & Roll, in May of 2005.
“Look at us, we formed a band,” blurts Art Brut’s overly giddy frontman during the first part of “We Formed A Band.” The band aims high with songs like this, despite the overused repetition of lyrics. With “We Formed a Band” sounding a bit like The Streets with a full rock ‘n roll band, Art Brut seeks to capitalize off the things that made their countrymen so successful in America. “Good Weekend” is the current single off the CD, the flamboyant face of Bang Bang Rock & Roll characterized by thrashing drums and a growling bass line, which evolve into bubble-gum guitar riffs, fluttering harmonies and gang vocals galore. “18,000 Lira” is a rollicking kick in the ass for the album, both in terms of energy and lyricism. Overly short (only 1:13), the song uses squealing riffs and a rock-out chorus to be as effective as possible in such a short timeframe. Including the romantically misguided “Emily Kane,” Bang Bang Rock & Roll has a handful of dance-alongs up its sleeve, and it is definitely worth a listen if you’re interested so far.
Art Brut brings the buzzing energy and the requisite gimmicks, but as a whole, this album seems a bit like a selection of singles as opposed to a cohesive disc. There are some blissfully fun numbers, however some songs like “Moving to L.A.” are musically sincere, but fall flat in the end. If you enjoy a decently entertaining album, it might behoove you to check out Bang Bang Rock & Roll, but the CD isn’t overly impressive as a self-contained unit.
Art Brut is recommended to fans of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Bloc Party, and The Rakes.
Buy Art Brut's Bang Bang Rock and Roll on iTunes (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=PjIvm57kicI&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos. apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStor e.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%25 3D153779936%2526id%253D153779933%25 26s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 )