Portrait of the Artist

Art Brut

If there is one band that would understand The Awesome Manifesto, it is South London's Art Brut. In fact, the very title of this blog is derived from their song "Bad Weekend" (they say "popular culture no longer applies to me"). But the contradiction between their motto and mine is cancelled out by another of their mantras - "Art Brut! Top of the Pops!"
Their unbridled (and only partially ironic) desire to play on England's premier mainstream music television program perfectly illustrates the confusion of counter and popular culture that is modern independent music. Any desire to be revolutionary or rebellious is really just part of a desire to be awesome, since unorthodoxy has been universally accepted as one of the key characteristics of an awesome rock band.
All Art Brut songs follow a pretty set formula, but it is one that invariably works. The band kicks out tight, fiery (and surprisingly catchy) punk-rock jams while delightfully awkward frontman Eddie Argos spouts off intelligently stupid lyrics in a wry, straight-faced sing-speak.

And yes, this is my singing voice
It's not irony
It's not rock 'n' roll
We're just talking...
To the kids!

The band has only released one album as of now, Bang Bang Rock & Roll, but it was one of the best of 2005. By taking the right things seriously (addicting guitar riffs, clever lyrics, catchy back-up vocals) and refusing to take anything else seriously (rock 'n' roll, Velvet Underground rip-offs, relationships, themselves), they made not only the funniest, but also one of the most rewarding and intelligent albums I heard last year.
Art Brut! Top of the Pops!

MP3: Emily Kane

Buy Bang Bang Rock & Roll

Artist Website