It was quite a few years ago I first heard Art Brut. I do believe I was not overly impressed with what I heard. For starters the lead singer (Mr Eddie Argos) couldn’t even sing in tune… well actually, it wasn’t even singing, was it? Talking, i’d call it.

Anyway… Art Brut Vs Satan was released in April this year (2009, in case you had forgotten). It’s the third album released by these guys. Produced by Frank Black in the space of twelve days, I believe that Art Brut Vs Satan is at least seven times better than Bang Bang Rock and Roll (the first album released in 2005).

Feel free to have a go at me, but yes, I think it’s taken me these four years to realise that Art Brut are not about catchy tunes and immaculate sounding vocals; they’re about the lyrics. The reason why the lack of tunefulness within the lyrics previously irritated me so much is because they are at the forefront of their overall sound. There’s no avoiding them; they’re clear and coherent. According to various sources, it seems that Eddie’s lyrics have even been the subject of lecture at a Berlin university entitled “The Depressive Dandy: the Lyrics of Eddie Argos”; a description that has apparently cause confusion to the man himself. But all the same, says a lot about the lyrics.

Why are they special? Well… let see. They aren’t pretentious; they’re to-the-point, describing exactly what is being said. No poncey metaphors. It’s like a story is being told in each song; most commonly describing various life experiences: a love of public transport, going home with someone you don’t quite fancy after an alcohol-fuelled evening, having annoying songs stuck in your head and embarrassingly singing them in public, drinking just that bit too much and waking up the next morning with all manner of mystery bruises. (he sounds a bit like me actually… except my love of public transport is probably not as strong… ha!)

“I can’t remember anything I’ve done. I fought the floor and the floor won.” Love it.

There a some parallels with Eddie’s lyrics and those penned by Jarvis Cocker. That is, the fact that they evoke images of situations that most of us would find ourselves in, which is possibly why he has once been described as “the new Jarvis” by NME.

What strikes me about Art Brut Vs Satan, is that the lyrics are more melodic than previously, as though there’s been some effort put into creating a more tuneful record rather than just the voice with the english twang speaking over what could be mistaken for a completely unrelated backing band. Before I get my arse kicked, in addition to a marked improvement in the vocals, the melodies, harmonies and overall sound of Art Brut as a band have improved immensely. Simply… This album is fairly excellent indeed.

http://www.artbrut.org.uk

http://www.myspace.com/artbrut

http://www.the-eddie-argos-resouce.blogspot.com

Art Brut – Alcoholics Unanimous

Some shows… all american unfortunately (unless you happen to be on that side of the world)

16 Oct 2009 -Cambridge, MA, Middle East

17 Oct 2009 – Hoboken, NJ, Maxwells

18 Oct 2009 – Washington, DC, Black Cat

19 Oct 2009 – Carrboro, NC, Cats Cradle

20 Oct 2009 – Atlanta, GA, The Earl

21 Oct 2009 – Tallahasee, FL, Club Downunder

22 Oct 2009 – Birmingham, AL, The Bottletree