It's a review!!! But it's my first one so be nice.
Last week an article caught my eye in Kerrang saying that one of my favourite bands, (the truly awesome Biffy Clyro), were releasing an acoustic EP in Kerrang. Especially for the lovely readers of Kerrang. I was, to put it mildly, ecstatic about this, but what I hadn't realised was that it was a download and not a physical copy. Shock horror. So there I was coming in from a driving lesson when I panicked after seeing the words, "Limited number of Downloads available". It was first come first serve gosh darn it.
To get the EP I would have to get on to my usually very dodgy computer, my terminally slow Internet and avoid my mind numbing virus protection which would no doubt want to delete the files as soon as they downloaded. All this I did, and instead of being in the final 2,500 that received one track, or even the 1,000 before who would receive two tracks, i was actually in the first 2,000. This meant four tracks. Four tracks of pure Biffy genius.
The first download was a version of 'The Captain' from their new album 'Only Revolutions', (released Monday 9th of November, no problem guys) and the album version is a bombastic, horns blaring crusher of a song. Acoustically however it becomes a song of soaring chorus' and a clever adaptation of the original onto the acoustic guitar which somehow gives it a new edge.
Second song on the download was 'Questions and Answers', the oldest track on the EP it was originally on their second album 'The Vertigo of Bliss'. The album, often hailed as one of their best, is a personal favourite of mine but with the commercial success of last album 'Puzzle' it was a welcome suprise to see a Biffy classic in a new light.
Thirdly there was 'Mountains', a chart success in its own right, the track sounds just as good if not better as a tender acoustic ballad, the guitar sounds heartfelt and warm whilst still retaining an edge that is present in all Biffy Clyro's songs.
'Saturday Superhouse' is the final download on the EP and although i loved the original version of this song on the album 'Puzzle', I feel that the song has taken on a new life acoustically. The rhythm section of Biffy Clyro has always been very important to the band and it's never shown off better than on this song, the heavy guitar and soaring melodies are sent to the back of the class and the bass and drums take pride of place.
More importantly on an acoustic EP is the vocals, and Simon Neil really goes all out reaching for melodies he could never hope to achieve when he's going balls to the wall rocking out. It really shows of quite an impressive range that is best shown before on ' The Atrocity' from album 'Infinity Land'
Overall the EP is mind blowing, giving me an insight and a new view of one of my all time favourite bands.
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
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