“Life is especially hard / When no one trusts you with a credit card
/ I love the taste of cereal / I have it for almost every meal.”
These are the opening lines from “DC Comics and Chocolate
Milkshakes,” delivered by Eddie Argos in his typical spoken-rant
fashion. The song, a thrilling ode to youthful nostalgia, perfectly
illustrates Art Brut’s revitalized energy on the band’s third album,
Art Brut vs. Satan.
Produced by Pixies frontman Frank Black, Art Brut vs. Satan succeeds on adrenalized live takes and Argos’ arch, droll lyrics.
Guitarists Jasper Future and Ian Catskilkin are forces, executing
blazing punk riffs (“Alcoholics Unanimous”), surf rock (“Twist and
Shout”) and classic rock solos (“Summer Job”) with deft agility.
The album’s charms are many. There’s a trilogy of music-themed songs
placed smartly in the middle—when many albums sag—that are,
thanks to Argos, observational treats. “Demons Out!” is a lamenting
anthem (“How am I supposed to sleep at night / When no one likes the
music we write?”); “Slap Dash for No Cash” attacks glossy indie acts
that imitate U2 (warning Brian Eno to cool his warm jets); “The
Replacements” is a shaggy ode to Argos’ late discovery of that
Minnesota outfit. Plus, the nearly eight-minute closer, “Mysterious
Bruises,” is an impressive feat of wit and endurance.
Here is an album not only worthy of praise, but demanding of it, as
Argos notes in “Demons Out!”: “We’re doing this for you / So you better
be grateful.”
This article appears in Jun 25 – Jul 1, 2009.