1. Colin

   10

   They've done it again, another brilliant album. And technically better than the first album, the snobs who shunned that may have to eat their words.… Expand

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2. BrendanD.

   8

   Art Brut is Gen-Y's Ramones. Doubt me? Listen to their first record. "Formed a Band" is the same kind of mindf*ck of a thumping rock song, bursting out of the speakers the way that "Blitzkrieg Bop" did in 1976. "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" is echoed (and pulled to full fruition) in "Good Weekend." Art Brut's first record was such a wonderful listen that, much like "Leave Home" was for the Ramones, "It's A Bit Complicated" was bound to be a letdown. And yes, it is, in comparison to "Bang Bang Rock & Roll." But there's a lot of growth here. The backing harmonies and doo-wops have come out of the closet (so to speak), providing subtle vocal textures over which Eddie Argos's subversively sincere vocals raise the bar for deadpan, self-mocking speak-singing (Argos, I argue, has more in common with Bob Dylan than Joey Ramone, but I suppose that's debatable). "It's a Bit Complicated" certainly isn't the masterpiece that "Bang Bang Rock & Roll" was, but it's damned good. And if these guys are truly the Neo-Ramones, the best is yet to come -- remember, "Rocket to Russia" was the Ramones' THIRD record.… Expand

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3. SeanD

   6

   Definitely not as good as the first but its not without its merits. lyrics are still gold, music is now stale

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4. CharmlessMan

   2

   This album sadly lacks the charm of the original, both musically and lyrically. On the musical front, the departure of original guitarist Chris Chinchilla has diminished the playfulness of the guitar riffs. Everything now sounds heavier and more overdone. Lyrically, much of the humor is either missing or too blatant and forced to be funny. Whilst the songs' themes would fit on the debut, their treatment here is heavy-handed and cloying. Argos' insecurities, previously self-mocking, now seem all too serious, particularly on a track such as Jealous Guy, where he describes his frustration that his girlfriend may have had sex more often with previous boyfriends. Whilst we may sympathise with the remnants of a schoolboy crush, such as on Emily Kane, listening to a grown man describe his sexual insecurities (which also feature here on Nag*4. Likewise, two cloying and nostalgic songs about making mixtapes (Nag*4 and Sounds of Summer) do no add up to one My Little Brother. Argos' perspective on sex and relationships have been dealt with more interestingly by bands such as Pulp and Arab Strap. Oh and Art Brut are about as punk as this website.… Expand

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