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In a world where every British rock star seems at pains to paint themselves as "serious" (for one, witness the new Kaiser Chiefs record) it's a bit of a bonus to have Art Brut. Because their second album, It's All A Bit Complicated, directly follows the witty, crazy and catchy template that their debut, Bang Bang Rock 'N' Roll, brought us.

The one thing they have cranked up though this time around, are the tunes. Indeed, even at their most obtuse, Art Brut have always been about the tune and It's A Bit Complicated is one of the catchiest pop records you'll hear all year.

Direct Hit, if there was any justice, would send them into the Chart stratosphere with its catchy, and instantly singable, chorus and genuinely funny lyrics (based around tongue-tied night clubbers dancing rather than talking to their crush). There's plenty of other tracks that could provide a similar success, such as People In Love and Nag Nag Nag Nag, but there's also a couple of more reflective tracks, such as Sounds Of The Summer with it's narrative of compiling a "mix-tape", that work as well.

Art Brut have often been accused of being one trick ponies and favouring style over substance. This album should prove the doubters wrong on both counts.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Wow! Saw them in Seattle @ Bumbershoot and many felt this was the best live show they had ever seen - the local newspapers agreed they were the best act of the entire 3-day festival! Very good lp, loads of fun & a very strong rock & roll ethos. Buy it of course, but don't fail to miss them perform! Incredible!

Rating: 4 out of 5

I'm pleased for Art Brut, unlike most indie (if you can class it as that) bands these days they managed to produce a sophomore album which is truly original yet managed to reach the high standard of music that 'Bang Bang Rock And Roll' provided. Eddie Argos' vocals are still up to scratch as he sings catchy lyrics such as 'punk rock ist nicht tot' from 'St. Pauli' and 'get on the dance floor it's a direct hit' from the leading single from the album; 'Direct Hit'.
The key songs from this album have to be the ballad 'Post Soothing Out' with its amazing riff, the brilliant 'People In Love' and 'Nag, Nag, Nag, Nag', a song about an unhappy teenager.
Overall, well, i don't think i need to say anymore, apart from, buy it!

Rating: 5 out of 5

I saw this band earlier this year supporting Maximo Park at the Shepherds Bush Empire and was introduced to their quirky funny brand of songs and recitation lyrics.Eddie Argos amuses me onstage,and this album is no exception.Every song on this album is good,and every song has a message.
"Pump Up The Volume" is great,and of course "Direct Hit"has all the goods.
I really like Jasper Future's guitar and the overall production is sparky and entertaining and surprisingly rock and roll.
A good summery listen from this elite band.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Art Brut are just so darn lovable. Any band that rejoices at their own existance has gotta be special.

That fact is reinforced in their second album "It's A Bit Complicated," which is crammed with more of their exuberant art-punk-poppery. It doesn't stray far from their first album's mold, but them it doesn't really need to -- their energetic, quirky little songs are more than enough fun.

After a bunch of "woo hoo hoo hoos" and a little tap on the bass, the opening song unfurls into a sprightly, punky little rock song. "We've taken our clothes off, in the wrong order/And you're leaving your shoes to make you look taller," Eddie Argos muses, contemplating the perils of teen nookie. "I know I shouldn't/And it's possibly wrong/To break from your kiss/To turn up a pop song..."

Having roped you in with the catchy stuff, Art Brut turns their attention to fast-paced rockers like "Direct Hit" ("Move around like your shoes don't fit!", which are equal parts indie-rock and catchy danceable stuff -- some builds perpetually up to a peak, some bounces all over, and some rushes forward in tight, high-octane blurs.

It winds right down to the brilliant last few songs -- "Nag Nag Nag" is an ideal blend of indie-rock grittiness and dancy exuberance, and "Jealous Guy" sounds like an amped-up version of a classic Britpop song. The album ends, but it doesn't slow at all.

Perhaps the most appealing thing about Art Brut is that they always sound just serious enough to make brilliant music, but not so serious that they don't sound like they're having huge quantities of fun. "It's A Bit Complicated" doesn't change much, but it does continue doing what they do best, with a bit of new polish.

The music basically rides on a wave of blazing bass guitar and nimble electric guitar riffs, tightly wound together into fast-moving melodies. They can make it cycle, blaze, buzz, smash and blast in brief spurts (look at "Late Sunday Evening"). And Mikey B produces some nice drums to ground the rapid-fire guitars, although he's a bit drowned out in some songs.

Argos tends to speak rather than really sing, in his warm, rough voice. For most artists, this would sound like a guy covering an inability to sing, but with Argos it just sounds conversational and quirky ("Sorry if my accent's flawed/I learnt my German from a 7 inch record").

And the songs he sings are full of witty lines and laddish woes -- "I Will Survive" is basically an ode to slob dorm living, and "Jealous Guy" is the lament of a guy feeling threatened by his ex-girlfriend's exes, and her lack of intimacy with him ("You're asleep, I wish I was too/But I can't because I've got something to prove/I tried to wake you with a really loud cough/I accidentally set your alarm clock off...")

"It's a Bit Complicated" doesn't really expand Art Brut's sound, but it's more lovable laddish indie-rock from a band that is almost too endearing. Definitely worth getting.

Rating: 5 out of 5