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Bang Bang Rock & Roll
by
Bang Bang Rock & Roll Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 82 Ratings

  • Summary: The London-based art-rockers led by Eddie Argos make their official debut with this 12-song effort.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Playlouder
    100
    'Bang Bang Rock & Roll' is as clever as it is funny as it is entertaining. It's the most original independent album in years.
  2. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    91
    This is the stuff of one-shot art-punk.
  3. AllMusic
    90
    Though it runs out of steam slightly (at least in comparison to the pop art brilliance of the band's best songs) on its second half, Bang Bang Rock & Roll is a terrific debut, and Art Brut is smart, catchy, and fun.
  4. Trouser Press
    80
    The gap between expectations and delivery, the contrast of emotions that go into real life as opposed to pop fantasy, makes this brief but satisfying album a pointed delight.
  5. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    It's a bit of an acquired taste, but at record's end, you'll be extremely satisfied.
  6. ShakingThrough.net
    70
    Frenzied throwaways like “Modern Art” and vapid observations like “popular culture no longer applies to me,” from “Bad Weekend,” keep Bang Bang Rock and Roll from attaining that rarified feel of unveiling something truly special.
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    This is essentially a couple of singles spread way too thinly. [Jun 2005, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 53
  3. Negative: 10 out of 53
  1. Marc
    Aug 4, 2008
    10
    Most of you people are crazy. This is top-shelf stuff.
  2. 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.
  4. 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 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.… Expand
  5. olivere
    Dec 23, 2005
    8
    Droll, very droll. And very british, which might explain some of the negative reviews I have seen. The band rock live, and on record manage Droll, very droll. And very british, which might explain some of the negative reviews I have seen. The band rock live, and on record manage to do a ramones. Not in style or sound, but in attitude - it is dumb, it is pretentious, it is funny, and you get the true rock'n'roll feeling that they are not going to be trapped by anybody elses fixed ideas of what a proper band should sing about and that they really don't care. He's just talking... to the kids!...… Expand
  6. 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 '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
  7. 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, 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.… Collapse
  8. theking
    Jul 14, 2005
    0
    worst band ever.

See all 53 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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