| Art Brut’s Bang Bang Rock & Roll was originally released nearly a year ago on the UK Fierce Panda label. After nearly everyone has already bought the import, the album is finally released stateside on Downtown records. Thankfully, Downtown was smart enough to include three extra tracks not found on the original Fierce Panda release to ease the pain of a double dip... though Art Brut’s songs are so good you almost welcome re-buying the CD.
The CD opens with the band’s first single, released prior to this album’s inception, “Formed a Band”. It is definitely one of the strongest tracks on the album, and a perfect introduction to Art Brut and frontman Eddie Argos’ vocal, and lyrical, style. The lyrics are delivered over a simple, energetic guitar rock style in a speak-sing manner. Argos isn’t just singing a song, he is telling you a story, a story full of wit and simple honesty. “Look at us, we formed a band.”
Another strong song on the album is their second single, “Emily Kane”. This is a song Argos wrote to win back his old girlfriend from 10 years ago, his first love who (surprise!) is named Emily Kane. I think every guy who listens to this song has a girl in his past that he instantly thinks of when he hears this track, it just captures the innocence of childhood “romance,” for lack of a better term, and the memories (and possible regrets) we still hold onto. “There's so much about you I miss/The clumsy way we used to kiss.”
This is a band that understands what they need to showcase in their songs. The music is definitely secondary to Argos’ lyrics and delivery. I don’t mean to sound too negative about the music, it is actually quite catchy and the band members are fully capable musicians. In fact, I am sure they are dumbing down the music in favor of putting Argos’ contributions front and center. Which, is exactly what was needed.
Bang Bang Rock & Roll is an extremely strong release, hopefully Art Brut will be able to keep their wit and honesty going forward.
“I hope this song finds you fame/I want schoolkids on buses singing your name”
I think it is safe to say Eddie Argos has succeeded in what he set out to do. Reviewed
by: Tom Gilbert
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