CD Reviews

Art Brut | Brilliant! Tragic!

Cooking Vinyl/The End Records (2011)

By MIRIAM LAMEY | May 25, 2011

1.5 Stars

On Art Brut's third album, Eddie Argos can't decide if he wants to be Jarvis Cocker or Sid Vicious. Initially, Argos leads his "art wave" crew firmly to Camp Cocker: "Lost Weekend" has the whispering vocals and drama of Pulp circa "Common People." A cheeky guitar sample from the Stones' "Satisfaction" cuts through the track's squawking riffs and tinny drums — perhaps Argos aspires a bit to Jagger-dom as well? Before the pop-rock dust settles, the intrepid frontman then channels his inner Sid Vicious in a blatant Sex Pistols allusion, "I Am the Psychic." The track's drum-pounding opening and furious guitar strumming spotlight Argos in his full-on Vicious mode, whereas "Martin Kemp" generates fire with plenty of angry power chords and shouted vocals. At least here Argos subdues his Pistols leanings. But Argos's unrepentant superstar imitations aside, Brilliant! Tragic! holds some well-written standouts. "Sexy" layers ringing riffs over jagged power chords and satiny acoustic strumming, and the stripped-down, softer "Ice Hockey" features a sparkling acoustic rhythm under which thick, distorted riffs slide — it's a dramatic, droopy number. Fortunately, Argos drops his acts by the album's melancholic close. But his impersonations ultimately cloud Brilliant! Tragic! and this band's true musical identity — whatever that may be.

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Topics: CD Reviews , Music, rock, Eddie Argos, More

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ARTICLES BY MIRIAM LAMEY

ART BRUT | BRILLIANT! TRAGIC! | May 25, 2011
On Art Brut's third album, Eddie Argos can't decide if he wants to be Jarvis Cocker or Sid Vicious.

FREDRICK | FLORA | April 13, 2011
Dreamy Swedish electropop outfit Fredrik bring a mellow collection of tunes stateside with their third album.

ELBOW | BUILD A ROCKET BOYS! | April 06, 2011
With the Mercury Music Prize for 2008's The Seldom Seen Kid , Elbow took their rightful place among post-Britpop stars.

THE MOUNTAIN GOATS | ALL ETERNALS DECK | March 23, 2011
The Mountain Goats' 13th studio album is an artfully simple collection featuring narrative-rich lyrics, John Darnielle's flinty, clear vocals, and jangly, driven, acoustic guitars.

BEADY EYE | DIFFERENT GEAR, STILL SPEEDING | March 03, 2011
Beady Eye's eagerly awaited debut represents Liam Gallagher's uninspiring foray into the spotlight without Noel, his battle-weary brother and Oasis's chief songwriter.