Pretty Simple, Really

It's a Bit Complicated
Art Brut
Downtown, 2007
3 stars

I missed Art Brut the first time around, but listening to It's a Bit Complicated, their second album, it's easy to imagine them in the back-row of the uk new-wave schoolbus, bumping shoulders with Bloc Party and the Futureheads and flicking elastic bands at the Arctic Monkeys. Where their first record had a we're-starting-a-band theme, the songs on this album focus on everyday stuff like wanting to turn the stereo up while making out with your girlfriend (Pump Up The Volume), and obsessing over making the perfect mix-tape (Sound of Summer). Whilst the music itself is good, the lyrics are the main event here - Eddie Argos' half-mumbled half-sung observations actually make you want to study the liner notes, and the repeated choruses will play in your head long after the disc stops spinning.

Artwork: C

Published in mX, Thursday 28 June 2007.

Rice Snacks

Cookies
1990s
Rough Trade, 2007
2 stars

I don't get it. Are these guys trying to be clever with the name of their band? Forming a Franz Ferdinand spin-off and calling yourselves 1990s is, for me, like forming a free-jazz group and calling yourselves NOFX - it's just not right. Well, whatever their story, the 1990s have a wave of hype pushing them along at the moment (Rough Trade signed them after only their sixth show) and, though the new-wave/garage boat has already sailed, Cookies is, overall, not a bad album. Guitars, drums and vocals - it's a pretty basic formula, but it works. If you're a fan of Franz or the Cribs, this is right up your alley. If you're still dressing like Kris Kross and listening to Snow's Informer on your Discman, however, I'd say give it a miss.

Artwork: B

Published in mX, Thursday 21 June 2007.