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Art Brut
Getting a song on a compilation is one way to get your name out. Hitting the festival circuit is another. Art Brut, who formed in '03, landed their song "Formed A Band" on an Angular Recording Corp. collection. This effort brought the Brit band to the attention of Rough Trade who released the track. Though it failed to crack the U.K. Top 50 it did land on a video game soundtrack.
An EP rolled out on Fierce Panda before Art Brut made their full-length debut in '05, "Bang Bang Rock And Roll." The set's first single, "Emily Kane" did better than its predecessor but still failed to make the Top 40. Despite that, it became the label's most successful single. Later that year, Chinchilla left and was replaced by Future, who had been in an earlier group with Argos.
Art Brut spent a chunk of '06 playing festivals in both the U.S. and Europe. Moving to Mute, the group issued "It's A Bit Complicated" in '07. Once the supporting tours/shows were done, Art Brut returned to the studio. This time it was with the Pixies' legend Frank Black producing. The result was the '09 album "Art Brut Vs. Satan."
There was this Brit who told the most hilarious stories. Interestingly, they all started in a pub with him sharing a pint or two (or more) with his mates. They were largely alcohol-fueled tales of defiance that operated on their own logic. The stories always jumped around with hardly any purpose other than to entertain. "It's A Bit Complicated" is a lot like that.
Art Brut uses titles well-known in the pop vernacular ("Pump Up The Volume," "I Will Survive" and "Jealous Guy") for songs that have no resemblance (lyrically or sonically) to the originals. A nice sucker shot, meant only to attract attention. Good marketing.
"It's A Bit Complicated" features a pop oriented approach giving Argos a solid platform to deliver snarky often sarcastic vocals about people who "move around like your shoes don't fit." The Punk romp "Direct Hit" breaks the mold a getting a boost in energy and tempo. "Nag, Nag, Nag," "Late Sunday Evening," Jealous Guy," and the bass-driven "St. Pauli" show-off the group's often comic observations and devious lengths traveled to get what they want. The wishful air of superiority is hard to deny.
"Bang Bang Rock And Roll" (great title) is an endearingly unpretentious shot of slashing guitars and talking-singing vocals reminiscent of the Blur-Oasis axis of the '90s. Unlike Oasis though, Art Brut avoids the majestic efforts (that usually turned out to be Oasis' hits) and keeps it basic with backing vocals to provide some pop appeal.
A "what of it" attitude the permeates "Bang Bang Rock And Roll" as Argos talks to the kids ("Formed A Band"), sings the joys of having a new girlfriend ("Good Weekend") or contemplates a move to L.A. ("Moving To L.A."). Like a lot of "working-class" bands, time-off figures prominently. "Good Weekend," "Bad Weekend" and "Really Bad" Weekend") indicate where their priorities are. That's four "weekend" songs on one album. They want to have fun but often aren't sure how to get there. Still, the songs are amusing shots documenting their search.
"Art Brut Vs. Satan" wears its heart on its sleeve (messy at that) and tongue- firmly-in-cheek. A loose Punk, shoulder shrug permeates "DC Comics And Chocolate Milkshake," "Twist And Shout" (not the Isley Bros. song) and "Summer Job."
Gotta love 'em. How many bands demand to be served tea ("Alcoholics Unanimous") or freely admit that they aren't in the fast lane - they take the train ("The Passenger")?
"What A Rush" deals with the perplexing dilemma of a girl liking The Beatles while the guy favors the Stones. No hope there. On "Demons Out!" Argos claims "no one likes the music I like." But Art Brut needn't fret. They may not have beaten Satan but they have produced a devilishly charismatic album.