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Rating: I have a particular attachment to Biffy Clyro. Not because they are particularly innovative or exceptionally talented. It's just that I was in the right place at the right time when I discovered them, that is, last year in their Glasgow, with the release of "Puzzle," the album that introduced them to the larger public (some will say commercialized, but that's a thorny issue I'd rather not get into).
The Scottish trio is heavily influenced by Nirvana, Foo Fighters, and healthy emo, genuine, à la Sunny Day Real Estate (if you know what I mean). And it shows. They take a bit from this, a bit from that, blend it all together, add a lot of energy, passion, and a good basic technique, and create in 2003 this "The Vertigo Of Bliss," for many the album that marked their maturation.
The aforementioned is an album, to be honest, too long, not so much for its duration, but for the number of tracks offered: thirteen in total, some perhaps forgettable and overshadowed by others far more worthy.
Nevertheless, there are several significant moments. "Bodies In Flight" kicks off with a rasping, shouted voice, accompanied by a buzzing, psychotic guitar. The song is a rollercoaster of rhythm, alternating more melodic parts (the guitar lines in the chorus are beautiful) with more syncopated and vibrant ones, where the band unleashes all their overflowing energy.
It's, in fact, their unpredictability that is the Scots' trademark. In a single track, they change attitude and sound multiple times, creating multifaceted tracks that don't bore but rather keep the listener in (pleasant) tension. In this light, the subsequent "The Ideal Height" should be viewed (its first minute is spectacular, guitar - drums create a surprisingly groovy blend, which gets slightly lost in the following verses only to recover later); also noteworthy are "A Day Of...", "Liberate The Illiterate" (with a more aggressive tempo), "Eradicate The Doubt", the shouted yet particularly engaging (and with a bizarre title) "Toys, Toys, Toys, Choke, Toys, Toys, Toys", characterized by a break and subsequent emotionally intense and thrilling recovery, and the concluding "Now The Action Is On Fire!". This last track is slightly different from the others analyzed so far, combining energetic and boisterous moments with more relaxed, melodic, and symphonic ones, and then exploding into a finale of shining beauty. This piece acts as a diaphragm between the heavier component of the Scots and the more "sugary" one. The third "With Aplomb" and especially "Diary Of Always" are perfect exponents of Biffy's more intimate and misty vein, containing typical elements of a more melancholic and nostalgic emo. Special attention should be given to the latter of the two tracks mentioned above, a true gem.
In conclusion, does this "The Vertigo Of Bliss" deserve a listen (I won't say a purchase, as I'm well aware that it will largely be downloaded!!!)? Yes, I would say yes. It's not a masterpiece, but it is a true album, felt with the heart and made by three guys who are well aware of what they are doing. It doesn't introduce anything particularly innovative in the global music scene (I think the impact on the British scene, however, was far more booming), but what Biffy Clyro offers still feels fresh and innovative. A nice little record all in all then, enjoy the listening!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 The Ideal Height (03:41)
You've opened the door to reason, without invitation
Forget what you had, it's vanished - except for the minions
But we'll scratch away to find the ideal height
How well do you think that you know me?
I'll tell you now, I didn't even mean it
Circumstance predicted, so they may...
We hope that you don't remember instructions of heaven
Cos everyone has a purpose, even the minions
But we'll scratch away to find the ideal height
How well do you think that you know me?
I'll tell you now, I didn't even mean it
Circumstance depicted, so they may...
How well do you think that you know... ME?!
How well do you think that you know ME?
Make it straight, go away...
Oh woah oh oh
The ideal height, the ideal...
Oh woah oh oh
The ideal height
How well do you think that you know me?
I'll tell you now, I didn't even mean it
How well do you think that you know me?
I'll tell you now, I didn't even mean it
Make it straight, go away
Make it straight, go away
07 Questions and Answers (04:03)
Grab a handle, twist it 'til something drops
You're up when you're winning, you feel like your head's gone soft
Even though we spend out time without a chorus
Little twitches give him a special edge
You can't understand it, transparent and soft in the head
Even though we spend our time, now here's the chorus
You've got all these great answers to all these great questions
You've got all these great answers to all these great questions
Take advantage of the sound
Lead to walls leading to minds
You've got all these great answers to all these great questions
(Still I feel them passing me by)
You've got all these great answers to all these great questions
(Still I feel them passing me by)
You've got all these great answers to all these great questions
(Still I feel them passing me by)
You've got all these great answers to all these great questions
(Still I feel them passing me by)
You've got all these great answers to all these great questions
(Try to understand)
You've got all these great answers to all these great questions
(Try to understand)
You've got all these great answers to all these great questions
(Still I feel them passing me by)
You've got all these great answers to all these great questions
(Still I feel them passing me by)
08 Eradicate the Doubt (04:26)
You are the summer I'll feel forever, I'll bleed forever You think you are the greatest I'll feel forever, I'll bleed forever Think that a circus is friendly More like a mutual interest in a nosebleed Think again Scared of the now take all the air look out dear , stick up the kid take all the air I'll bleed forever, I'll bleed forever I'll feel forever, I'll bleed forever A-list with an alias, eradicate the doubt Eradicate the doubt Eradicate the doubt Eradicate the doubt Tackling, it's a cool cold slipstream that you will not find Caught in a high speed and full blown seizure Scared of the now take all the air look out dear , stick up the kid take all the air (screams) Sometimes, you'll dare To become forever And provoke the fear Inside you, you'll weaken Take me to your heart Take me to your heart
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By alessioIRIDE
A song has so many microcosms that it seems to be a concentrated album.
They pump, they play hard, record in a day... and sweat liters of sweat.
