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A stellar sophomore dose of
punk, dance and garage rock

Art Brut - It's a Bit Complicated
(Downtown)
4 stars (out of 5 stars)
Reviewed: Sept. 29, 2007
Art Brut

Review by Andy Argyrakis

Two years ago, indie rockers Art Brut debuted with Bang Bang Rock & Roll, a dance dipped, British sounding disc of alternative rock songs that was instantly lumped alongside the appreciated likes of Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party. The group quickly found several celebrity fans, most notably members of Oasis who asked the Eddie Argos-led outfit to open a few shows. And with non-stop touring as an opening act or solo club headliners, the newcomers rapidly established its contagious sounds and irreverent lyrics on the underground circuit.

Yet its latest disc It's a Bit Complicated shows the initial streak of success wasn't just merely a fluke, instead providing the evolutionary backbone for a mixture of occasional dance nuances, loads of garage derived guitars and a punkish spirit that would make the gang just as suitable in the company of the Kaiser Chiefs or The Clash. "Pump Up the Volume" is exactly what listeners should do on the first track, known for its scooting strums, melodic tendencies and a tambourine doused rock n' roll revival. "St Pauli" leans in an edgier, more rebellious sonic direction, though the lyrics comically cover being on a different page in life than most family and friends.

The guitars get even dirtier come "I Will Survive," with Argos' overtly English accent taking a sassy and gravely approach, while "Blame It On the Trains" is a simple but memorable punk-tinged swinger. The band's light hearted sense of British humor continues of the harmony-laden "Nag Nag Nag Nag," opening with the tongue in cheek lines "wet trousers in the washing machine/ but I'd rather be damp than seen in jeans." Even with the smirk inducing topics, there's still plenty to take seriously on this sophomore effort, including noticeable growth and even more infectious rhythms.

Watch Art Brut's - "Direct Hit" video

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