|
|
"With its two concepts that intertwine and answer each other within a complex division, Opposites is the most varied and ambitious record in Biffy Clyro's discography."
|
4/5
|
|
|
|
Biffy Clyro is a band praised by the English press but very little known in France. For more than ten years now, the Scottish trio have been forging a rock work that has been nourished by the punk ardour of their first three albums, to evolve towards a more commercial rock with a huge production, without ever denying a strong alternative colouring. The twenty tracks of the opus are spread over a double album with distinct but complementary concepts.
'The Sand At The Core Of Our Bones', thus is subtitled the first record, is a reflection on the tragedy of some past events, loneliness and introspection. 'The Land At The End Of Our Toes', on the other hand, is the vital reaction that allows us to move forward without remaining paralysed by the weight of a story too heavy to carry. The lyrics reflect this dichotomy but, musically as well as musically when in the distribution of the songs, the two records are coherent and balanced.
Biffy Clyro's immediately recognizable touch stands out on the more dynamic passages with fast guitar lines, devastating rhythm section and melodious refrains. 'Opposites' is generously garnished with these fireworks, between the anthems "A Girl And His Cat" and "Victory Over The Sun", and the powerful "The Joke's On Us", "Sound Like Balloons", "Little Hospitals" or "Modern Magic Formula" that should set the pits on fire. The simpler, mid-tempi or pop songs are embellished with dynamic passages ("Different People", "Black Chandelier") or enriched with orchestrations that transcend them ("Biblical" and "Accident Without Emergency").
In the middle of these tracks, in the lineage of those Biffy Clyro got us used to on two last albums, is a nice collection of original or experimental nuggets. With "The Fog" and "Skylight", the trio never went so far in the dark and electro side. The bluesy "Trumpet Or Tap" is an equally brilliant find in both vocals and harmonic construction. Finally, the bagpipe ("Stingin' Belle") and trumpet ("Spanish Radio") protrusions are jubilant enough to be pointed out.
Since the trio met in 1995, their complicity has never waned. None of the three musicians takes precedence over the others and this cohesion bursts once again in this Opposites admirably produced by Garth Richardson. Because of its length and density, this record promises many exciting listenings before being digested. - Official website
|
|
|
|
|
TRACK LISTING:
101. Different People-05:11
102. Black Chandelier-04:04
103. Sounds Like Balloons-03:46
104. Opposite-03:55
105. The Joke's On Us-03:34
106. Biblical-03:58
107. A Girl and His Cat-03:29
108. The Fog-04:41
109. Little Hospitals-03:32
110. The Thaw-03:42
201. Stingin' Belle-04:25
202. Modern Magic Formula-03:54
203. Spanish Radio-03:51
204. Victory Over the Sun-03:59
205. Pocket-03:06
206. Trumpet or Tap-03:56
207. Skylight-03:44
208. Accident Without Emergency-04:52
209. Woo Woo-02:18
210. Picture a Knife Fight-03:53
LINEUP:
Ben Johnston: Batterie
James Johnston: Basse
Simon Neil: Chant / Guitares
|
|
| |
|
(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top of the page
|
| |
|
|
(0) COMMENT(S)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
READERS
4.5/5 (2 view(s))
|
STAFF:
3.7/5 (6 view(s))
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
OTHER REVIEWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT BIFFY CLYRO
|
|