CD Review

“Formed a Band” has been knocking around so long it served as the pre-show music for iconic short-lived art-rock duo Slow News Day back in the fall of 2003. Three long years later comes Art Brut’s domestic release and it’s reassuring to see they’ve got some other guns in their arsenal. “Modern Art” is required listening for any visitors to the Baltic in Newcastle. “Moving To L.A.” is ten times better than the second Thrills album while at the same time so completely taking the piss out of the Irish lads that their collective bladder collapses. Who were all the imbeciles who saw in Brandon Flowers the natural successor to Jarvis Cocker? Wrong, dunces. That honor goes to Eddie Argos. This guy’s a better lyricist than Dylan. Loads better than that overrated goon in Arctic Monkeys. Each song a short story in its own right, deserving inclusion in the next 15 months’ worth of McSweeney’s. That’s to say nothing of his vocal delivery. Impassioned delivery? Check! Aim your crosshairs at “Good Weekend”: “I’ve seen her naked / twice!” Literate punk rock masterpiece.

For more info see: artbrut.org.uk