I’ve never reviewed a box set before but Art Brut released my favourite sprechgesang anti-art-punk album of the early aughts so I figured I’d give it a go. 2005’s Bang Bang Rock & Roll placed Art Brut among the “Art Wave” scene but was more post-punk revival than “Indie Sleaze”. Argos has cited Jonathan Richman and Axl Rose as his greatest influences but I’d have a hard time not comparing Art Brut to The Fall while also attributing their influence on current British bands like Yard Act, Sleaford Mods, and Sweden’s Viagra Boys. A follow up to 2024’s And Yes, This Is My Singing Voice! New Cross and Beyond, 2003-2008 Vol. 1, this 5 disc box set includes 2009’s Art Brut vs. Satan and 2011’s Brilliant! Tragic!, both produced by Frank Black, 2018’s Wham! Bang! POW! Let’s Rock Out!, as well as 2 discs worth of b-sides, demos and rarities.
Art Brut vs. Satan has my favourite album title of the bunch and it’s great in that it sounds a lot like Bang Bang Rock & Roll, but my favourite of the three albums included here has to be Brilliant! Tragic! To me it sounds less like their earlier albums, like the band- or Argos at least- is stretching a bit and trying some different things. Black did produce both apparently but I feel like I can hear it more on tracks like “Is Dog Eared” with its bass heavy drone. “Ice Hockey” even has acoustic guitar and actual singing although I was a bit disappointed that it’s not an ode to Canada’s national sport (which is actually lacrosse btw). Even with this experimentation, if you want to call it that, there’s still great songs with genius lyrics like “Bad Comedian” that prove they haven’t strayed too far from their winning formula. I was less sold on Wham! Bang! POW! Let’s Rock Out! Maybe it’s the horns but I think it’s actually the guitars. Aside from Argos’ lyrics and deadpan delivery, what's always won me over with Art Brut is the tasty riffs and tasteful guitar tones. Although original guitarist Ian Catskilkin played on it, perhaps it’s Jasper Future that I’m missing? Either way, bonus points for having Wedding Present’s Charlie Layton take over drum duties.
As far as the bonus material goes “Price You Pay For Waiting”, recorded in 2006 or 2007 but unreleased until now, is worth the price of admission. (Well to be fair, I don’t know how much admission is exactly since they don’t tell us how much the box set retails for..) Anyway, solid groove going by the rhythm section overlayed with counterpoint guitar parts and chanted backups. Cool song idea too, unintentionally ironic unless Argos can predict the future. Makes me wonder why they waited this long to release it unless it was just some long game postmodern plan? “Hey Axl Rose when will we see a release date for Chinese Democracy?” would have been a more poignant question back when it was written but is maybe more charming now. And if it was recorded in ‘06 or ‘07 it seems too early to have been on Vs Satan so was it cut from 2007’s It’s A Bit Complicated? It’s better than Complicated’s single “Direct Hit” imo.
I’m one of those people who think the demos are always better than the album version, of my own and other peoples’ songs. In Art Brut’s case I really like the production on their albums. The demos run the gamut, from solo acoustic to full band studio recordings, which makes it interesting to compare with the finished song. Gives us a glimpse into the songwriting process. The live tracks are entertaining albeit a bit long and make me regret having never seen them and/or make me want to track down a copy of Argo’s book I Formed A Band.
Would I buy the box set? My wife would say I don’t have room in my already bloated record/book/other crap collection for 5 more CDs and the only CD player we have these days is in her car. What if it came out on vinyl? Maybe but I’m told they released last year's double LP A Record Collection, Reduced To A Mixtape instead, and tbh I’d be more likely to just track down a copy of Brilliant! Tragic! I’d be missing out on “Price You Pay..” but I’m not a completist and I can (hopefully) always listen to it on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WncFNyWBd_k). You never know tho, with current vinyl prices what they are, 5 CDs might be cheaper than one LP? As I said, it depends on the price of admission.
