Brilliant! Tragic!

Last updated

Brilliant! Tragic!
Brilliant tragic.jpg
Studio album by
Released23 May 2011
RecordedDecember 2010 at Wavelength Studios, Salem, Oregon
Genre Indie rock
Garage rock
Garage punk
Label Downtown (US)[ citation needed ]
Cooking Vinyl (Europe)
Producer Frank Black
Art Brut chronology
Art Brut vs. Satan
(2009)
Brilliant! Tragic!
(2011)
Art Brut Top of the Pops
(2013)
Singles from Brilliant! Tragic!
  1. "Lost Weekend"
    Released: 16 May 2011
  2. "Clever, Clever Jazz"
    Released: 15 August 2011

Brilliant! Tragic! is the fourth studio album by Art Brut, released on 23 May 2011. The album was recorded in Salem, Oregon, and was the second by the band to be produced by Frank Black, best known as the frontman of Pixies. To accompany the album, a comic book version of Brilliant! Tragic! was released at the same time. [1]

Contents

The track listing and release details were confirmed in early March 2011. [2]

Art Brut frontman Eddie Argos described Brilliant! Tragic! as his "favourite" Art Brut album, saying that it was definitely their "greatest" album so far. [3] " Bang Bang Rock & Roll did what it said on the tin", Argos explained, " It's A Bit Complicated was a bit complicated. On Art Brut vs. Satan we had to fight Satan. This one follows the same pattern, it is a 'brilliant, tragic', record. If it was a TV show you'd define it as a dramedy." [4]

On the subject matter for the album, Argos said; "This time the album is more about how I think I’m psychic, songs for my funeral, the principality of Sealand and Axl Rose. Weightier topics I think. I’m also sexier now" [5] He also comments on the band's current musical direction, stating that "with the last album we'd just remembered we were a punk band again so it was all four to the floor rock out. This time there are a few songs to let you catch your breath so when we do rock the fuck out again it hits home harder." [6]

Writing and recording

Describing the writing and recording of the album, Argos said, "with the last album we met up every couple of months and wrote three or four songs. This time we got together in the second half of the year and wrote whenever we could 2 or 3 times a week. We had more time in the studio this time too (about a week more) so Black Francis had time to teach me how to sing. I'm very proud that I sing on it. Only took four albums to start singing, not bad." [5] Although Argos has said that it "feels good to find out my voice is an instrument", he found the process of learning to sing somewhat "scary". "The first song we did, we recorded all the music, and then Frank was like "Everybody go home, I’m talking to Eddie", and I was like "Oh no, what’s he going to do to me?” It was a bit scary. We went in and spent hours really, getting me to sing. Once we sort of conquered that one — and he showed me that I could sing— it was a confidence boost. I’ve always been a bit scared of singing. It’s funny, him (Frank Black) teaching me how to sing on the record. We’d play the song through, and he’d sing it, and then we’d do it again, and I’d sing. We’d either do it as a duet, or I’d copy him. If we’d just recorded him singing it and not me, we could have had a secret bonus album, but we didn’t do that. But what a brilliant person to have teach you how to sing, you know, Black Francis from the Pixies. Yeah, it’s pretty awesome". [7]

Producing for the second time, Frank Black Black Francis at Where the action is.jpg
Producing for the second time, Frank Black

Argos was not the only Art Brut member singing for the first time on this album. Bassist Freddy Feedback also debuts her vocal skills, singing backing vocals for the first time. "Frank Black was saying how nice it would be if there was a female backing vocals", Argos says. "Freddy can be quite shy. She likes to be in the back, really. The plan is now to get her to do it live. I think she sounds quite lovely. When I heard her on the record, it was amazing. Maybe she should be the singer, I’ll write the words. That’s what we should probably do". [7]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Crackle Feedback Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg link
Consequence of SoundStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Slant Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg link
Spin Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg link
Drowned in Sound Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg link
Pitchfork (5.5/10) link

The band aired the new material at several shows before the album's release, including the 10th birthday party of Islington's Buffalo Bar. The new material was described as "more adventurous" [10] and "more varied than on previous albums", [11] and was generally "well received", despite the fact that the audience was "not familiar with any of the material." [12] One critic went so far as to say that "'Brilliant! Tragic!’ may very well be the best Art Brut album yet" [10] while another said that "it is the best thing they've done in half a decade." [11] According to early reviews, "Bad Comedian", "Axl Rose" and "Ice Hockey" proved to be particular "crowd pleasers", [12] with "Axl Rose" as main talking point in early reviews. According to one reviewer, "Axl Rose" "is an undeniable highlight, containing enough swearing to make it's[ sic ] namesake proud" [13] while another says that the song boasts "some of the best swearing you'll ever hear!" [11]

In the music press, the album received generally positive reviews. Writing for the May 2011 issue of Uncut magazine, for example, Stephen Dalton compared Argos' songwriting to that of Jarvis Cocker, Ian Dury, Mark E. Smith and Luke Haines, awarding the album a favourable 4/5. Mojo also awarded the album 4/5, praising Argos' improved "angsty bellow". In their 7/10 review of the album, Drowned in Sound said that while "the record is still unmistakably Art Brut, there’s also much more progression and experimentation than we’ve seen from the band before", comparing "Is Dog Eared" to "PiL-era John Lydon". Alternative Press also compared Argos to the former Sex Pistols frontman in their review, saying that "Argos has channeled his inner Johnny Rotten, seemingly vacillating between contempt and boredom. Fortunately, the band play with a similar sense of toughened rawness". Rolling Stone awarded the album 3/5, but called it the group's "sturdiest album to date" [14] NME awarded the album an average 6/10. Despite finding something "strangely self-conscious" about the album, the reviewer concluded by saying that she still loves them, despite their "eccentric faults". [15]

Song information

Axl Rose, "a man you'd want in your corner" W. Axl Rose, Guns n'Roses Poliedro de Caracas 27 de Marzo 2010.jpg
Axl Rose, "a man you'd want in your corner"

On the track "Axl Rose", Argos has said that "I think GnR are a great band. I think if you got into an argument with someone, you’d want Axl in your corner. He’s a good guy to have on your side. You know, you don’t want Rivers Cuomo defending you. Axl Rose is the guy who will stand up for you. It’s funny, I was recording the song with Frank Black, and he's going, "you know, if there’s one thing you can say about Axl, it’s that he tells people to fuck off!” It was pretty amazing having a conversation with Black Francis about Axl Rose" [7]

The album track "Axl Rose" marks the second time that Argos has written about the volatile Guns N' Roses frontman. The first was his 'Open Letter To Axl Rose', first published in Artrocker magazine, in which he says that, while he is a fan of Rose's work and that Guns N' Roses "have some of the world’s greatest songs in their arsenal", he feels that Axl "needs to address his punctuality and perhaps trim down the band's current lineup". [16] It was written in response to the Axl's controversial [17] Reading Festival performance the previous year. [16]

In their review of the album, Consequence of Sound noted that Axl Rose "is a fitting tribute to the Guns N' Roses vocalist; mindless lyrics about checking out his middle finger and beating the world to the punch. It’s a little silly, a little dumb, and heavy on the riffage… which is to say, it’s a lot like Axl Rose". [9]

Brilliant! Tragic! comic

To accompany the album, Art Brut compiled a comic book version of Brilliant! Tragic! to be released simultaneously. The Brilliant! Tragic! comic book features artwork by a range of artists, including Akira The Don, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Hope Larson, Jamie McKelvie, Jeffrey Brown, Jeffrey Lewis, Let's Be Friends Again, Marc Ellerby, Mr Solo, Sian Superman and Patrick McQuade. Argos was "over the moon and incredibly flattered that these artists took time out to work" on the comic. [1]

Argos says, "When we first had the idea of creating an Art Brut comic I compiled a list of all my favourite artists and then handed the list to our manager (as I am far too shy to approach those people). I thought only one or two would say yes. I was completely blown away when they all did and then flattered they would take the time to create something for us. As I had chosen all my favourite artists and writers for the project I was expecting to be blown away by every new submission, it went beyond even that though. I love what has been created and I recommend that you go out and collect everything by everyone who has contributed to this comic". [18]

A lifelong comic book enthusiast, [18] Argos' passion for comic books has already crossed over into Art Brut's music and art work, with Art Brut vs Satan's DC Comics & Chocolate Milkshake referencing the legendary publishers of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Justice League and Green Lantern. The same album also had artwork designed by acclaimed graphic novelist Jeff Lemire. In 2010, Argos unveiled his comic book themed side project named "Spoiler Alert", [19] whose three track EP featured songs inspired by DC Comics characters Batman, Booster Gold and Blue Beetle. [20] He also writes an online comic book review for Playback called "Pow to the People". [21]

"I can remember the first comic I ever read" Argos said, "it was the Beano, the day I had my tonsils out. I was given it as a treat as I couldn't eat anything. It might have been the only time I've turned down Ice Cream, it blew my tiny 6-year-old mind. I loved comic books growing up but always had a fear they might be something I would have to give up as an adult. Then one day somebody, I still don't know who, put some Batman comics through our letter box. These blew my tiny 11-year-old mind. They were pretty full on, nothing at all like the Adam West goofing around show I had seen Saturday morning television. In these stories people were being murdered, they were political, and morally ambiguous. If my mum had known how different they were from the Saturday morning kids show she would have taken them off of me. I loved them though and realised then that they were something that would stay with me into adult life and have spent all my money on comics ever since". [18]

Bad Comedian

Jeffrey Lewis's Bad Comedian strip focused on the Joker acting out the lyrics to the song, with his drunken resentment aimed at Watchmen character The Comedian. [22] [23] The strip ends with the Joker hurling his nemesis through a window, parodying the opening of Watchmen. [22]

Artist Patrick McQuade, who worked on the comic book, described the experience as "very cool" [24] and said, "I had total creative freedom to do whatever I wanted. I chose the album's final song "Sealand". It was a blast to do!" [24]

The album cover was designed by cartoonist and illustrator Jamie McKelvie Jamie McKelvie.jpg
The album cover was designed by cartoonist and illustrator Jamie McKelvie

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Clever Clever Jazz"3:44
2."Lost Weekend"4:22
3."Bad Comedian"4:14
4."Sexy Sometimes"3:32
5."Is Dog Eared"6:16
6."Martin Kemp Welch Five-A-Side Football Rules!"2:14
7."Axl Rose"3:28
8."I Am The Psychic"2:43
9."Ice Hockey"5:31
10."Sealand"3:58
Total length:39:55

An additional track, "Unprofessional Wrestling" was recorded in the same sessions, and not included on the album, but leaked to the internet in advance of the album's release. [25]

Credits

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Axl Rose</span> American singer (born 1962)

W. Axl Rose is an American singer and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist and lyricist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, and has been the band's sole constant member since its inception in 1985. Possessing a distinctive and powerful wide-ranging voice, Rose has been named one of the greatest singers of all time by various media outlets, including Rolling Stone, NME and Billboard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Francis</span> American musician

Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He is the frontman of the alternative rock band Pixies, with whom he performs under the stage name Black Francis. Following the band's breakup in 1993, he embarked on a solo career under the name Frank Black. After releasing two albums with record label 4AD and one with American Recordings, he left the label and formed a new band, Frank Black and the Catholics. He re-adopted the name Black Francis in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Izzy Stradlin</span> American guitarist

Jeffrey Dean Isbell, best known as Izzy Stradlin, is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He was a co-founder, rhythm guitarist, and backing vocalist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he recorded four studio albums and left at the height of their fame in 1991.

<i>Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose</i> 2002 studio album by Against Me!

Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose is the debut album by the American punk rock band Against Me!, released on March 5, 2002 under No Idea Records. It was the group's first release as a full band with electric guitars, bass guitar, and drums. The album was produced by Rob McGregor, who would also produce the band's second album Against Me! as the Eternal Cowboy (2003). The album's title references Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose, illustrated on the cover.

<i>Chinese Democracy</i> 2008 studio album by Guns N Roses

Chinese Democracy is the sixth studio album by the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, released on November 23, 2008, by Black Frog and Geffen Records. It was the first Guns N' Roses studio album since the 1993 covers album "The Spaghetti Incident?", and their first album of original studio material since Use Your Illusion I and II (1991). It languished in development hell for eight years, delayed by personnel and legal problems, label interference, and the perfectionism of vocalist Axl Rose. It was the first Guns N' Roses album without Izzy Stradlin, Slash, and Duff McKagan, and the first not produced by Mike Clink; instead it was produced by Rose and Caram Costanzo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myles Kennedy</span> American singer and guitarist

Myles Richard Bass, known professionally as Myles Kennedy, is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Alter Bridge and of Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators alongside guitarist Slash. A former guitar instructor from Spokane, Washington, Kennedy has worked as a session musician and songwriter, making both studio and live appearances with several artists, and has been involved with several projects throughout his career.

"One in a Million" was the eighth track on American rock band Guns N' Roses' 1988 album G N' R Lies. It was based on singer Axl Rose's experience of getting hustled at a Greyhound bus station when he first came to Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Art Brut</span> English indie rock band

Art Brut are an English indie rock band. Their debut album, Bang Bang Rock & Roll, was released on 30 May 2005, with its follow up, It's a Bit Complicated, released on 25 June 2007. Named after French painter Jean Dubuffet's definition of outsider art – art by prisoners, loners, the mentally ill, and other marginalized people, and made without thought to imitation or presentation – South London's Art Brut were tagged by NME as part of the "Art Wave" scene that also included bands such as The Rakes, Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party. The band released further albums, Art Brut vs Satan in 2009 and Brilliant! Tragic! in 2011. A fifth album, Wham! Bang! Pow! Let's Rock Out!", was released in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Cry</span> 1991 single by Guns N Roses

"Don't Cry" is a song by American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, two versions of which were released simultaneously on different albums. The version with the original lyrics is the fourth track on Use Your Illusion I (1991), while the version with the alternate lyrics is the 13th track on Use Your Illusion II (1991). Only the vocal tracks differ, and even then only in the verses; however, in those verses, not only are the words entirely different, but the meter and melody are also slightly different. There is also a third version, officially released only on the single for the song, which was recorded during Appetite for Destruction sessions in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guns N' Roses</span> American hard rock band

Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in March 1985 when local bands Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns merged. When they signed to Geffen Records in 1986, the band's "classic lineup" consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. The current lineup consists of Rose, Slash, McKagan, guitarist Richard Fortus, drummer Frank Ferrer and keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Melissa Reese.

<i>Two Steps from the Move</i> 1984 studio album by Hanoi Rocks

Two Steps from the Move is the fifth studio album by the Finnish rock band Hanoi Rocks, released in 1984. This is their last album to feature drummer Razzle, before he was killed in a car accident on 8 December 1984. It is also their final album to be released before their break-up in 1985.

Sarah Anne Nixey is an English singer-songwriter, best known as the vocalist in Black Box Recorder. Her debut solo album, Sing, Memory, was released on 19 February 2007, followed by Brave Tin Soldiers, released on 9 May 2011. Her latest album, Night Walks, was released on 5 October 2018. Nixey currently lives in London with her husband, music producer Jimmy Hogarth, whom she married in late 2010 and has one son, Reuben and a daughter, Lola. Nixey has a daughter, Ava from her previous marriage with John Moore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh My God (Guns N' Roses song)</span> Guns N Roses song

"Oh My God" is a song by Guns N' Roses released in 1999 on the soundtrack to the film End of Days. The song was sent to radio stations in November 1999 as a promo for the soundtrack and the band. Despite being the band's first recorded release in almost five years, it was never issued as a stand-alone single for public retail. The song was written as the band was recording music for Chinese Democracy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Argos</span> British singer (born 1979)

Eddie Argos is the lead singer of English rock band Art Brut, and writer of comics.

<i>Its a Bit Complicated</i> 2007 studio album by Art Brut

It's a Bit Complicated is the second album by British band Art Brut. It is the follow-up to their debut album Bang Bang Rock & Roll and was released on 19 June 2007. It debuted on the UK Albums Chart at #123.

<i>Art Brut vs. Satan</i> 2009 studio album by Art Brut

Art Brut vs. Satan is the third album by Art Brut, released in Europe on 20 April 2009 and in the US on 21 April. The lead-off single from the album was "Alcoholics Unanimous". The album was produced by Frank Black.

Let's Wrestle were an English indie rock band based in London. The band consisted of Wesley Patrick Gonzalez, Mike Lightning (bass) and Louis Scase A.K.A Darkus Bishop (drums).

<i>Art Brut Top of the Pops</i> 2013 greatest hits album by Art Brut

Art Brut Top of the Pops is a compilation album by the band Art Brut. As well as a 'best of' set, the two-disc collection includes two new songs, "Arizona Bay" and "We Make Pop Music", as well as B-sides, cover versions, demos and live material.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Top of the Pops & His Minor UK Indie Celebrity All-Star Backing Band</span> Musical artist

Keith Top of the Pops & His Minor UK Indie Celebrity All-Star Backing Band is a London-based indie rock band led by singer-songwriter Keith Top of the Pops.

<i>Wham! Bang! Pow! Lets Rock Out!</i> 2018 studio album by Art Brut

Wham! Bang! Pow! Let's Rock Out! is the fifth album by Art Brut released on 23 November 2018. The album is the band's first album in seven years after the 2012 release Brilliant! Tragic!. The lead-off single from the album was the eponymously-titled "Wham! Bang! Pow! Let's Rock Out!", the first new Art Brut material to be released since 2011. A second single, with video, "Hospital!" was released on 2 October 2018, along with full details of the album.

References

  1. 1 2 "Brilliant! Tragic! The Comic Book" . Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  2. "Art Brut Release Their New Studio Album". Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  3. "Eddie Argos in conversation". Archived from the original on 11 April 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  4. "Art Brut announce new album, free download and London gigs – ticket details". NME . Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Art Brut Release Fourth Album, 'Brilliant! Tragic!' on May 24th". Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  6. "Art Brut Release Their New Studio Album". Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 "The TVD Interview" . Retrieved 17 April 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. "Crackle Feedback Review". Archived from the original on 9 July 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  9. 1 2 "Album Review: Art Brut – Brilliant! Tragic! « Consequence of Sound". consequence.net. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  10. 1 2 "Art Brut, Buffalo Bar, 09/4/11" . Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  11. 1 2 3 "Art Brut unveil new album" . Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  12. 1 2 "Art Brut @ Buffalo Bar, London, 9 April 2011" . Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  13. "Art Brut Rock N Roll Bingo!" . Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  14. "Brilliant!Tragic! Review". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 25 May 2011.
  15. "NME Album Reviews - Album Review: Art Brut - 'Brilliant! Tragic!'". NME. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  16. 1 2 "An Open Letter To Axl Rose". 7 March 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  17. Martin, Dan (28 August 2010). "Guns N' Roses fail to ignite Reading festival 2010". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  18. 1 2 3 "Art Brut release comic as companion to new album Brilliant Tragic" . Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  19. "Spoiler Alert!". 11 August 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  20. "Art Brut release comic as companion to new album Brilliant Tragic" . Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  21. "Art Brut release comic as companion to new album Brilliant Tragic". Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  22. 1 2 "Art Brut Comic 2011". Thejeffreylewissite.com. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  23. "(via Art Brut Comic 2011)". NoiseLoop. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  24. 1 2 "The Art of Patrick McQuade". Pjmcquade.blogspot.com. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  25. "Art Brut: New album + live EP!". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2011.