Could someone tell me what happened to this band? Seriously, Biffy Clyro could have been the best British alternative-rock band around. Just thinking of '57' or 'Justboy' gives me shivers. They were described as the new Nirvana a few years ago. It's hard to believe when you listen to 'Only revolutions'.
The trio from Ayrshire, Scotland have given up their powerful, aggressive and emotional sound to fall into such a generic radio rock. 'Puzzle' sure was a turning point in the band's career and a sign of what to come, but it is still legitimate to be disappointed. The single 'Mountains' is quite representative of Biffy Clyro's new sound. It is made of boring verses with uninspired lyrics and uninspired riffs, a very poppy pace and a poorly-constructed chorus. I can't believe this song has become the most famous of a band who created such music gems in the past. A lot of tracks follow this equation. The ballads may be the worst ('God & Satan', 'Many of horror') as they're nothing else than average cheesy pop. I'm almost wondering if the three first albums weren't a fraud and were really written by the same guys. It is so far from where they were before. The only song that I genuinely found interest in is 'That golden rule', which features good rhythm changes, their heaviest riffs since a while and also what is the closest to the screams Simon Neil used to put on their songs. 'Born on a horse' can also be interesting for those who enjoy Marmaduke Duke (Neils' side-project with JP Reid of Sucioperro). The rest is just very bland. As a whole, it is quite similar to 'Puzzle', except there's even less inspiration within the songs and the orchestrations used are much less efficient than they were on a track like 'Living is a problem because everything dies'. 'Bubbles' and 'Booooom, blast and ruin' sound like average Paramore songs, 'Cloud of stink' reminds me of Fightstar and 'Know your quarry' is so ridiculous that it seems to be a bad joke. 'Only revolutions' just sounds empty. From its very weak opener 'The captain' to its late Muse-ish closer 'Whorses', everything sounds empty. The lyrics, the compositions, the vocals, everything.
I wouldn't be that harsh if I didn't know how great can this band be and didn't love their previous records that much. You won't be overcome by distress if you're new to Biffy Clyro's discography but keep in mind it's the least good stuff they've ever written. Everything that used to set them apart from all the other bands around (yes, all) has disappeared for us to find nothing else but a cruel lack of inspiration. It is such a disillusion for their devoted fanbase which has praised them to the skies for a long time. Please, bring me back my Biffy.
3/5
Recommanded if you like:
Reuben, Foo Fighters, Idlewild
Check also:
Marmaduke Duke, Sucioperro, Twin Atlantic
www.myspace.com/biffyclyro
(14th Floor Records, 2009)
Recommanded if you like:
Reuben, Foo Fighters, Idlewild
Check also:
Marmaduke Duke, Sucioperro, Twin Atlantic
www.myspace.com/biffyclyro
(14th Floor Records, 2009)
so why 3/5 then? xD
ReplyDeleteGood review... However, I do have to disagree with what you said... Yes, BC is no the same as it was when Blackened Sky came out, and Puzzle was a turning point towards something easier to the ears. But I really liked that record!
ReplyDeleteAnd the new one... I have listened to it only twice so far but to me it's mix of Puzzle and Infinity Land, and I think it's a grower. You should try to listen to it again, you might discover something truly great.
I loved some songs on 'Puzzle', but didn't really like the record as a whole. It's not even the case with 'Only revolutions', apart from 'That golden rule' which I enjoy (but don't "love"), there's absolutely nothing standing out for me. I've listened to it a lot in two days, and for me it has no interest (as a Biffy album, of course).
ReplyDeleteAh merde mauvaise nouvelle ce que tu m'annonces là, je l'attendais impatiemment
ReplyDeleteI've just read the review and agree with most of it (if not all). That last sentence feels so desperate it's almost sad. But even sadder than that is the fact that I actually relate to it as well... But guess what? This is the new Biffy, and this is the sound of theirs that's here to stay.
ReplyDeleteIn the end of they day we'll all be able to slip that good ol' VoB CD inside our CD player, lay back and just enjoy those great tunes of yesterday.
Nice review, mate!