Bang Bang Rock & Roll
by Art Brut
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 82 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 82
  3. Negative: 12 out of 82

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  1. colbag
    Mar 15, 2011
    9
    A strong, exciting, varied debut which has sadly overshadowed most of their work since. Art Brut's first album still sounds as exciting today as it did when I first heard it. They were the best band in Britain in 2005 and this album deserves more recognition.
  2. Marc
    Aug 4, 2008
    10
    Most of you people are crazy. This is top-shelf stuff.
  3. EricC
    Nov 26, 2007
    9
    I can't believe there's a band making music like this. But I'm ecstatic that they are. Some of the bluntest music you'll ever hear (you'll quickly realize this in the first track, which simply celebrates the fact that they formed a band). It may not stick with you too long, but for those first few listens, it's an experience you won't be finding anywhere else.
  4. JayP
    Mar 23, 2007
    10
    It doesn't get any better than this. Best record of the decade.
  5. Rayl
    Jan 5, 2007
    9
    Fantastic
  6. Delicious
    Nov 26, 2006
    6
    Some catchy songs, but hardly revolutionary. They might seem special to someone who has absolutely no knowledge of other independent bands, maybe? Art Brut have some catchy songs, but the lead singer steals Mark E. Smith's shtick and the band is just generic garage rock.
  7. ToddW
    Nov 1, 2006
    8
    If these guys ever take themselves seriously, we could be looking at another Clash, or at least Sonic Youth. This album is often smart, sometimes funny, and it ROCKS. However, in spots it's a little too cute. And cute doesn't translate well to the ugly masses. The Sheep simply never get it. Popular culture no longer applies to them. Perhaps that's a good thing for the rest If these guys ever take themselves seriously, we could be looking at another Clash, or at least Sonic Youth. This album is often smart, sometimes funny, and it ROCKS. However, in spots it's a little too cute. And cute doesn't translate well to the ugly masses. The Sheep simply never get it. Popular culture no longer applies to them. Perhaps that's a good thing for the rest of us. It would be nice to keep these guys our little secret. However, you would hope that just once, ONCE, the denizens of the dark waters of the Sewerstream would wake up and answer the door when a rcok band like Art Brut come banging.… Expand
  8. SteveC
    Oct 26, 2006
    0
    Pretentious rubbish. Awful. Talentless. Highly irritating.
  9. MattJ
    Aug 17, 2006
    9
    Music to enjoy, surely music is there to make you want to dance, laugh, and feel, Emily kane takes everyone back to their first love, hilarious throughout, just thoroughly enjoyable!
  10. Jason
    Aug 10, 2006
    1
    I clearly missed something too because a friend just called me last night to rave about these guys. Unfortunately, I'd already heard this album and couldn't get through it a 2nd time.
  11. NathanB
    Aug 8, 2006
    7
    Catchy
  12. MikeG
    Aug 8, 2006
    10
    A year after this album's initial release, Bang Bang Rock 'n' Roll is already, and surprisingly, a classic. I'm not kidding, because they aren't kidding either.
  13. MikeH.
    Aug 5, 2006
    9
    If you think this bad is "stupid" its probably because you're not in on the joke. Most of Art Brut's lyrics are playing off the pretentousness of the punk/indie scene. Even songs that aren't exclicitly about it often still parody it through sheer literalism. The Strokes would certainly not write a song about their own sexual dysfunction, for instance because they are trying If you think this bad is "stupid" its probably because you're not in on the joke. Most of Art Brut's lyrics are playing off the pretentousness of the punk/indie scene. Even songs that aren't exclicitly about it often still parody it through sheer literalism. The Strokes would certainly not write a song about their own sexual dysfunction, for instance because they are trying to maintain some sort of "Rock God" persona.… Expand
  14. lonchaneyjr
    Aug 4, 2006
    6
    It's forty minutes in the company of a moderately amusing, utterly charming guy. But...is that what you listen to music for?
  15. AnonymousTipoff
    Jul 24, 2006
    10
    "You don't get it!"
  16. ChrisM
    Jul 11, 2006
    0
    Utter crap... Arogs' voice is annoying, and to hear him trample and stumble his way over some very pedestrian arrangements makes me wonder how deprived most listeners/critics are if they're giving this glowing reviews. Bland, bland music.
  17. MattD.
    Jul 11, 2006
    2
    Tries to be funny, but the lyrics are dumb, and the vocals and music sound like a parody. I'll give it 2 points for effort. Try Ted Leo instead if you want fresh pop/punk.
  18. RichR
    Jul 7, 2006
    10
    I love this band and this record. For me, it's straight out of '77, one of the all time great years for rock 'n roll, and certainly the best of that much-maligned decade. Every song on here shreds. I can see how some people might be annoyed/intimidated by Andy Argos's supreme self-confidence, yes. I mean, how many people have the nerve to completely disrespect the I love this band and this record. For me, it's straight out of '77, one of the all time great years for rock 'n roll, and certainly the best of that much-maligned decade. Every song on here shreds. I can see how some people might be annoyed/intimidated by Andy Argos's supreme self-confidence, yes. I mean, how many people have the nerve to completely disrespect the Velvet Underground, who I love and think are a great band, too, but maybe not quite as influential as some would have us think? Anyone who doesn't like this record is either deaf or seriously addled, or both. I just missed them in my home town, but I bet they blew the roof off.… Expand
  19. bearlyybearlyy
    Jul 7, 2006
    5
    Lyrically it is quite creative and a few of the songs made me feel euphoric for maybe 3 listens. But musically and melodically it is barren, barren, completely barren.
  20. seant
    Jul 6, 2006
    8
    its an excellent record that draws comparisons to the fall and the buzzcocks. it doesnt hurt that they are pretty much poking fun at all the buzz bands of today either.
  21. Mark
    Jun 21, 2006
    1
    Clearly, I missed something. This album is crap.
  22. Nugget
    Jun 12, 2006
    7
    'Formed A Band', the opening track, is as good a statement of intent as any album in recent memory. "We're going to be the band/ That writes the song/ That makes Israel and Palestine/ Get along", Eddie Argos yelps, and God love us, we believe him too. The (non) attitude is a clever, fresh ploy in a generation of po-faced musicians. They don't care or they care too 'Formed A Band', the opening track, is as good a statement of intent as any album in recent memory. "We're going to be the band/ That writes the song/ That makes Israel and Palestine/ Get along", Eddie Argos yelps, and God love us, we believe him too. The (non) attitude is a clever, fresh ploy in a generation of po-faced musicians. They don't care or they care too much? You decide. Trouble is, these three chord thrashers don't have the choons to stand up to Bloc Party or even the Kaiser Chiefs. It's a lot of fun, but not the sort of thing you'll be playing five years from now.… Expand
  23. GaboS
    May 31, 2006
    8
    Really fun and solid album. The first time I heard these guys (and girl), I wasn't too impressed, but that was mainly because the only song I heard from them was "really bad weekend." Then I got to listen to "my little brother," and then "bad weekend," and I was HOOKED! From there I bought their album and I loved the whole thing (except for bad weekend). The lyrics are so smart and Really fun and solid album. The first time I heard these guys (and girl), I wasn't too impressed, but that was mainly because the only song I heard from them was "really bad weekend." Then I got to listen to "my little brother," and then "bad weekend," and I was HOOKED! From there I bought their album and I loved the whole thing (except for bad weekend). The lyrics are so smart and funny at the same time, every time Argos starts singing, I can't help but to smile. I recommend this album for anyone looking for a band with the likes of The Rakes, The Futureheads, or even Bloc Party. And YES, it WILL grow on you!… Expand
  24. dan
    May 30, 2006
    7
    Pitchfork Syndrome, I'm afraid. Music critics who want to be rock stars love the idea of rock stars who want to be music critics. That said, it is quite entertaining.
  25. SmileyG
    May 26, 2006
    8
    Some of the most up front, in your face, lyrical content your hear all year, and then some... Highlights: Formed a Band, My Little Brother, Bad Weekend
  26. Rudiger
    May 24, 2006
    10
    Funny, Smart, Lively and Catchy. An album that will stand the test of time Had me listning to it again and again
  27. MattH
    Apr 30, 2006
    10
    It's hard to believe something this simple could be this good. This album is not only fantastically funny but catchy as well.
  28. marks
    Apr 20, 2006
    8
    [...] Although genuinely hilarious, Art Brut's Eddie Argos doesn't summon Mark E Smith as proclaimed by the English music press (for those keeping track that would be, for better or worse, LCD Soundsystem's ubergeek James Murphy). [....] Mark my words, dear readers: when Bang Bang Rock and Roll hits stateside next month, they'll be the latest and greatest kids in the [...] Although genuinely hilarious, Art Brut's Eddie Argos doesn't summon Mark E Smith as proclaimed by the English music press (for those keeping track that would be, for better or worse, LCD Soundsystem's ubergeek James Murphy). [....] Mark my words, dear readers: when Bang Bang Rock and Roll hits stateside next month, they'll be the latest and greatest kids in the Futureheads/Franz Ferdinand/Bloc Party/Arctic Monkeys new new-wave invasion [...] in fact with this release, Art Brut out-wit, out-punk, and out-Brit any of the aforementioned.… Expand
  29. aReviewer
    Apr 8, 2006
    6
    When I first listened to this album, I thought it was like the Streets at first. Then I realized, Mike Skinner is awesome, and this guy, well, isn't. If you're a fan of straightforward but otherwise uninteresting lyrics and musical style, then this is for you. It's rock-n-roll in its purest most simple form, but it's still missing something that would make it good. When I first listened to this album, I thought it was like the Streets at first. Then I realized, Mike Skinner is awesome, and this guy, well, isn't. If you're a fan of straightforward but otherwise uninteresting lyrics and musical style, then this is for you. It's rock-n-roll in its purest most simple form, but it's still missing something that would make it good. People will be sick of this album in a year.… Expand
  30. Drew
    Mar 13, 2006
    8
    Really catchy and it continues to grow on you-
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Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best Album of 2006
52
#52 Most Discussed Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Spin
    83
    These Brits deconstruct bombast via bombastic guitar riffs. [Jun 2005, p.108]
  2. cokemachineglow
    76
    It all adds up to blatantly catchy, deceptively simple wannabe-clever, can’t-help-but-be-cheeky art-punk.
    Read full review
  3. Mojo
    80
    Every generation needs an Art Brut. [Jun 2005, p.100]
See all critic reviews »