Art Brut - Art Brut vs Satan

When Art Brut parted ways with music giants EMI last year it came as no surprise. Always fated as the cult, DIY underdogs, Art Brut are the group for music snobs. Writing about their own cynical views on the music industry along with light hearted anecdotes about teenage girls, they’re the band every music fan dreams to be in. So after following their second glossy album ‘It’s A Bit Complicated’ it came as a shock to find the group recruiting Pixies man Frank Black for their third effort. Rumours of a darker route were hushed around the blogs, however ‘Art Brut Vs Satan’ is the band’s most genuine album yet.

‘Alcoholics Unanimous’ is a burst of pop fun, as you picture the band whipping into action over a quick moment of cut throat guitars. As lead singer Eddie Argos shouts ‘I’ve been up all night!’ followed by comedic backing vocals, it’s a return to form while Argos chants ‘Bring me coffee! Bring me tea!’

It’s not long, however, before Argos again begins to take over the album. Our notes are littered with one liners, yet there’s a single theme of adolescence running through the album. ‘DC Comics And Chocolate Milkshake’ quickly moves Argos into the state of mind of many a 16-year-old and he fails to budge for the remainder of the album. Particularly the darker, ‘Am I Normal?’ shows the tale of an adolescent Argos cutely stalking girls as he muscles up the courage to strike up a conversation.

There are downsides however, with a particular song dedicated to The Replacements sounding no more than a waste of three minutes, and a seven minute think piece dedicated to bruises which makes us believe the album’s finale was surely a mistake.

Whilst upon first listen the album is no big step away from the band’s debut, all the glossy production of ‘It’s A Bit Complicated’ has been stripped instead for a more wholesome sound, with the band’s cynical attitude brazened throughout. ‘Demons Out!’ is a particular highlight as Argos turns to the listener to say ‘the record buying public shouldn’t be voting’ over a backlog of fast strumming guitars. It could be the angst of a fallen record deal or the outcome of another X Factor as Argos yells ‘We can take them! The record buying public - we hate them, it’s Art Brut Vs Satan!’

Ultimately after we’ve been labelled pure hatred by Art Brut we should be fighting against them, yet this album is so deliciously tight, clean and compelling we simply cannot stop listening. While the tracks are not instantly likeable there’s something which draws you in. Whether it be Eddie Argos bizarre tales, or the band’s frantic energy, we’re quite happy to continue having Art Brut as the indie DIY spokesmen for years to come.