Ellipsis
by Biffy Clyro
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 30
  3. Negative: 4 out of 30
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  1. Tomskaaar
    Jul 8, 2016
    6
    There is a clear divide in the Biffy Clyro fanbase between pre-Puzzle purists, and post-Puzzle converts. This album, like Puzzle, seems likely to create another divide within the fanbase.

    All credit goes to Biffy for trying to evolve, explore, and experiment with new tones, unfortunately though, the end product comes off as lackluster, and in need of more Boss MT-2 driven guitar anthems    There is a clear divide in the Biffy Clyro fanbase between pre-Puzzle purists, and post-Puzzle converts. This album, like Puzzle, seems likely to create another divide within the fanbase.

    All credit goes to Biffy for trying to evolve, explore, and experiment with new tones, unfortunately though, the end product comes off as lackluster, and in need of more Boss MT-2 driven guitar anthems to make up for the amount of resistant, and reserved tracks, such as "Re-arrange" and "People."    … Expand
  2. andrepusey1
    Jul 12, 2016
    5
    Tomskaaar's review is one of the most spot-on critiques of a piece of media I've ever read. The band themselves have discussed the trilogy approach they take to their albums, and it's extremely clear from Ellipsis that this is the case.

    I wasn't too much of a fan of Biffy pre-Puzzle, then the trio of that, Only Revolutions and Opposites (their best effort yet, IMO) blew me away. They    Tomskaaar's review is one of the most spot-on critiques of a piece of media I've ever read. The band themselves have discussed the trilogy approach they take to their albums, and it's extremely clear from Ellipsis that this is the case.

    I wasn't too much of a fan of Biffy pre-Puzzle, then the trio of that, Only Revolutions and Opposites (their best effort yet, IMO) blew me away. They are now one of my favourite bands, especially live. Unfortunately, Ellipsis does not live up to this.

    When I first heard Wolves of Winter, I thought "Here we go again, good old modern Biffy", then I heard Animal Style and I was even more convinced -- they were moving in a new direction whilst continuing to highlight their past. Fantastic.

    However, when you listen to the rest of the album I believe you will be disappointed. There are some decent songs, but even the best on Ellipsis (aside from Wolves of Winter and Animal Style) are worse than the worst of Opposites and Only Revolutions. I'll take Picture a Knife Fight over Friends and Enemies any day.

    This album also contains some of the very worst Biffy Clyro songs I've ever heard. Re-Arrange is absolutely abhorrent -- a poor attempt at Nickelback, which is saying a lot (I say that as a fan of Nickelback, BTW). Medicine is a shameless attempt at a follow-up to Machines. Flammable is decent, as are the two bonus tracks (why are they bonus tracks though?!).

    tl;dr -- Not a good Biffy Clyro album, but still a decent-ish pop-rock album. Not impressed, I'm afraid. Disappointed.    … Expand
  3. Hestefesten
    Jul 15, 2016
    8
    Not a step above their latest efforts. There are some really good songs on here, but I don't feel like any of the songs blew me away like Sounds Like Balloons, The Joke's on Us and Different People did. Simon Neill is my favourite musician, so I'd probably like anything in where he sings, his voice just resonates with me so well, but I had hoped for something more. I do appreciate themNot a step above their latest efforts. There are some really good songs on here, but I don't feel like any of the songs blew me away like Sounds Like Balloons, The Joke's on Us and Different People did. Simon Neill is my favourite musician, so I'd probably like anything in where he sings, his voice just resonates with me so well, but I had hoped for something more. I do appreciate them trying something different and there are no songs that I dislike. It's just that I don't like it as much as Opposites and Only Revolution.… Expand
  4. Tryium
    Jul 19, 2016
    4
    As a long time fan (since Infinity Land) i feel... very disappointed.

    As Andrepussey1 told in his(her) review, this album doesnt live up to what Opposites is or even Only Revolution is. I consider personally Puzzle and Opposites to be the best of their seven albums so far. But here's the thing, Biffy is getting old. The rage is gone, the poetry in the lyrics is gone as well. When i    As a long time fan (since Infinity Land) i feel... very disappointed.

    As Andrepussey1 told in his(her) review, this album doesnt live up to what Opposites is or even Only Revolution is.

    I consider personally Puzzle and Opposites to be the best of their seven albums so far. But here's the thing, Biffy is getting old.
    The rage is gone, the poetry in the lyrics is gone as well. When i first heard "Wolfes of winter" i was confused, because it sounded like "Stingin Belle" and "The Captain" had a child together. But it was still ok. The Animal style came out and it is a pretty good track, still the biffy we love in a more accessible way. And then you listen to the album and... oh boy.

    It seems like their trip to california have blew up their mind because Ellipsis sound more like Blink 182 or any other californian punk band than Biffy. The lyrics are very poor, cheesy as hell sometimes ("Re-arrange", "Friends and enemies" sounds like One Direction... "People"), the riffs are a bit mediocre, and too many songs on the album are "power chords songs".

    There is some good tracks : "Herex" got that nice composition, "On a Bang" and "Animal Style" are what i'm seeking in Biffy Clyro : cool lyrics, powerfull riff, great arrangement... Unfortunately, the best track of the album "In The Name of the Wee Man" isnt on the album because... it's a bonus track !

    After a few listening i can tell that the album is below average. I was excepting a lot from this, well, i'm disappointed and sad to see such a talent wasted !    … Expand
  5. Therealvinaynay
    Jul 18, 2016
    9
    This is a great album, second to Only Revolutions from the boys. A "return to form" from the more filler double album opposites. The evolution from this album shows the band going into a new direction with the splash of Biffy of old. The softer songs on this have a strong feel that escapes the usual feel of ballads on rock albums.
  6. fjwillicott
    Aug 4, 2016
    7
    The album feels like its gasping for air at most points, trying to keep the old Biffy but is being drowned by new age recording and expectations to turn 'poppier' to increase fan base. As a fan of Biffy all the way since Blackened Sky every evolution of each album has contained surprises which is what makes them such an incredible band. However the album shows moments of brilliance likeThe album feels like its gasping for air at most points, trying to keep the old Biffy but is being drowned by new age recording and expectations to turn 'poppier' to increase fan base. As a fan of Biffy all the way since Blackened Sky every evolution of each album has contained surprises which is what makes them such an incredible band. However the album shows moments of brilliance like Wolves of Winter, Animal Style and on the deluxe, Don't, Won't, Can't, which reminisces for me, Golden Rule, especially the ending. In The Name of The Wee man also displays how the guys can still write brilliant exciting music the way they did in their cinematic trilogy. On A Bang takes on the new style and approach and is a solid component of the album and I believe should be a valued part of their progression.

    However songs like Small Wishes and People are abysmal and as a huge fan I find embarrassing to listen to. Other songs like Flamable, Herex, Howl, Friends and Enemies display that their capable of writing exciting music still but they almost feel as though they've been restrained. Re-arrange's song vocals and heart felt lyrics with a slightly 'trap' style beat do make it a nice listen, controversial to my argument.

    Medicine seems to be getting a lot of different opinions. Personally I do believe it's the new Machines and Simon's house style does resonate through the song, making it catchy and enjoyable with brilliant lyrics.

    As a keen guitarist, the sound that Simon took in the the last three album was resonating. Its nice to see he still keeps this in most songs as well as watch him take on some new sounds and pedals. For example Flammable takes on a snappier sound with a underlying fuzz, we also then see how Animal Style takes on a slightly Aerosmith tone and Don't. Won't. Can't gives us a slight Black Keys tone.

    Overall the Album does have some brilliant glimmers but lacks as a whole. Take away some of the naivety and you are left with the skeleton of what could have been a brilliant. Without the two deluxe tracks the album is disappointing and takes an alternative route to I expect most Biffy fans would like.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. No Ripcord
    Jul 26, 2016
    60
    While there are highlights, the album often feels very safe.
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  2. The 405
    Jul 25, 2016
    75
    Ellipsis has an air of Moving Pictures about it; an amalgamation of everything that came before it into a cohesive whole, with a couple of new bits added in. It's still Biffy, but it sounds a little new.
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  3. Record Collector
    Jul 15, 2016
    60
    Occasionally you find yourself flinching at how closely Biffy Clyro have adhered to the uplifting radio-rock format.
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