Art Brut VS Satan

A couple of years ago I first heard Art Bruts’ Debut ‘Bang, Bang Rock and Roll’, and I fell in love with it. Excited, I tried to introduce a close friend to them, suggesting he tried their wonderful single ‘Formed a band’. He listened to it, and then teased me about it endlessly, “It’s just “We Formed a band!” over and over again! How could you possibly like this?” I was aghast, and we argued over them for hours, but however hard I tried to convince him of their simple, lovable brilliance, it was impossible to change his opinion on this marmite band. If you identify with the opinions of my friend, turn away now. There’s nothing here to make you reconsider your opinion on Art Brut, but for those of you who were drawn in by their previous offerings you may well have a treat ahead of you.

While they lack the immediate impact and raw energy they once had, Art Brut remain just as endearing, just as raucous as they ever did. Songs such as “Demons Out!”, along with the strong opener “Alcoholics unanimous”, fill the good, stomping rock song quota. Full of catchy tunes, a few cheeky guitar solos, and the occasional bombastic chorus, there’s no doubting the quality of many of the songs on the record, and this is probably in no small part down to the production of Frank Black, who may have perhaps learnt a few things from Steve Albini along his way. However the songs remain simple, and it should be clear that Art Brut’s strongest asset is their lyrics.

The vast majority of songs continue to be on the subject of the trials of tribulations of Eddie Argos, and that’s fine! Songs such as “Am I normal?” makes me smile just about every time I hear them, reminiscent of songs such as “Emily Kane”, stories of borderline stalking, and hiding behind trees, should be pleasantly familiar for many, as well as being laugh out loud funny. As well as this, Eddie informs us of his love of public transport, DC comics, chocolate milkshake, The Replacements, his struggles with Alcohol, his new found love for sex, and his requirement of a Summer Job. Despite some level of banality (in Eddie’s own words “I can’t believe you’re dancing to a song about public transport!”), these unpretentious and simple subjects are welcome. They are are well presented by Argos’s excellent and witty wordsmithery with lyrics such as: “I'm in love with a girl in my comic shop, She's a girl who likes comics, She probably gets it a lot!” from “DC Comics and Chocolate Milkshake”, which delights and amuses all.

When the songs aren’t about himself, Argos has always critiqued the music business, and in this album he makes no exception. Tackling over-produced music in “Slap Dash for No Cash”, he asks us why we’d “want to sound like U2?” this not being “a very cool thing to do”, producing another lyrical gem with “Cool your warm jets Brian Eno”. In “Demons out” he informs us that the “record buying public shouldn’t be voting”, and in “The Replacements” he criticises bands for not showing their true colours. I can’t really criticise his criticisms as they are largely correct, and shielded from elitism by the assertion that these are simply the records he likes, although there is perhaps the tiniest mummer of an undertone that those who do not like the records he likes are know-nothing plebs. However they lack the brilliance he once had on Art Brut’s first album, never reaching the level of statements such as “I can't stand the sound of the Velvet Underground” and “No more songs about sex, drugs and rock and roll, It's boring!”.

This album will do nothing to change the opinions of my friend and the rest of the Art Brut haters, being similar in style to it’s two predecessors, and doing nothing to make them a more serious grown-up band, but for the already enamoured it is a more than enjoyable listen. The worry with Art Brut was always going to be if they could maintain the excitement, especially over 3 albums, and become something more that what appeared to simply be a novelty act with amusing lyrics. I’d probably say that they’ve succeeded.

8/10