In an ideal world Art Brut would be huge. Pictures of the band would flood the covers of every rock-glossy from Magnet and Filter to Spin and Rolling Stone. Art Brut’s dapper/pauper fashion aesthetic would be copied and imitated endlessly, particularly front man Edie Argo’s pencil thin mustache and pronounced paunch. The band would be picked to headline Coachella and finish their set joined on stage by The Raconteurs, Thom Yorke, and select members of T.V. On The Radio for an all-star rendition of “Formed A Band”. One lucky member of Art Brut might even date Winona Ryder. Art Brut is deserving of such stardom not only because they have released one of the most exciting records of the year, but because they have brought swagger and showmanship back to indie-rock. After listening to Bang Bang Rock and Roll it is apparent that Art Brut have a pure and archetypal understanding of what makes up a cool rock band. And what, exactly are these qualities? Well, let’s be formal about this, shall we? The following is a list of what makes up a cool rock band and why Art Brut is that band:
Killer Rock Sound
Every song on Bang Bang Rock and Roll blasts out of your stereo on a wave of sloppy guitars, speedy base lines and clanging drumming. It’s a sound that effortlessly captures both the primal thrust of early punk and the playfulness of 60’s garage rock. The album plays like a collection of first takes by a band that formed fifteen minutes before entering the studio and miraculously pulled it off.
An Enigmatic Front man
Edie Argos carries the torch of charismatic British front men like Jarvis Cocker, Morrissey and Ian hunter, the un-likely rock stars who playfully confront their audiences and demand their full and undivided attention. Argos speak-sings every song in a thick English brogue, and notes in “Formed A Band” “ Yes, this is my real singing voice, and no, it’s not rock and roll, and it’s not irony”. Perhaps Argos can’t sing a solid strain to save his life, but his crusty delivery is both ironic and rock n’ roll in the way that it so deliberately channel the spirit of the classic sneering British rocker. Argos is also is in his finest form when he descends into frenzied Otis Redding-style repetition, as if he will find some greater truth in his words if he keeps saying them over and over.
A Sense of Humor
Argos is a master of dry, British, classist humor and you take delight in laughing with him and not at him. On “Brand new Girlfriend” Edie gleefully declares of his new gal “I’ve seen her naked twice!”. On “My Little Brother” he laments kid brother’s rock pretension by proclaiming indignantly “He no longer listens to A-Sides, he made me a tape of Bootlegs and B-Sides!”. Though he may project attitude of a the modest rock and roll enthusiast, Edie’s is not above admitting his fantasy in “Moving to L.A” of “drink Hennessey with Morrissey!”. Some day, Edie. Keep it up.
Memorable Songwriting.
Argos is not a crooner in the traditional sense, but his songs are filled with classic melodies and pop song structures. Though solid songwriting abounds, highlights include the tuneful and touching “Emily Kane” the splendid pop- rock of “Moving to L.A.” and of course the pop-punk anthem “Formed A Band”, one of the punchiest and most exciting singles of the new millennium.
Sexiness
Yes Art Brut is sexy. Their sound has a kind of fractured, kamikaze, sexuality that reminiscent of that mousey pent-up art student you ever had a crush on but never dared talk to. Even during Argos’ most simultaneously endearing and pathetic moment, the impotency ballad “Rusted Guns of Milan” Edie and The Brut ooze scruffy rock star mojo.
Bang Bang Rock and Roll is 16 tracks of Anglophile rock at it’s best, a collection of short punchy songs each dynamic enough to sustain many repeated listens. If you long for the golden era of Cool Britannia, the days when talented little bands burst onto the scene with intentions of becoming the biggest band in the world, then by god man, pick this album up post-haste. |