Opposites - Biffy Clyro
User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 3 out of 26

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  1. glubh
    May 13, 2013
    10
    Awesome album.
    The songs "Black Chandelier", "Opposites", "Biblical", "Stingin' Belle", "Black Magic Formula" and the pretty "Accident Without Emergency" made Opposites the best release of 2013 since now.
  2. StrawberryBlond
    Apr 8, 2013
    2
    Seen so many great reviews of this album and I simply don't get it bland, boring, samey. Just because most of it's upbeat doesn't mean it's not boring. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing truly bad here, just a bunch of mediocre tracks, some slightly more passable than others. Every song sounds pretty much the same as the last with barely anything distinguishable or memorable. Nothing much more to say.… Expand
  3. an_smj
    Mar 21, 2013
    8
    Typically Biffy. Nothing much changed from their recent formula: lots of catchy arena tunes mixed in with their signature blend progressive rock. The only difference here is that there's more of it. Great if you're a Biffy fan, may be a bit overpowering if you're not. Still very much worth a listen though.
  4. TheAntisocial
    Feb 22, 2013
    10
    Every Biffy album has been a 'grower' for me and Opposites is no different.
    On first listen it was a good album, but not as good as their last, on second listen it was better than i first thought and probably on a par with their last. By the third i was hooked and it was easily their best album yet.

    Not one song do i skip when listening to this album, and i usually do find one or two o    n an album i tend to skip past. Each one i either find myself humming along to or, nobody is around, singing out loud.

    Easilymy favourite album right now.    … Collapse
  5. BelmerJavs
    Feb 13, 2013
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Each of both albums by itself leaves one longing for more, so the fact that it's a double album strengthens it, much more than the band's previous score, Only Revolutions. The style of the songs vary, from the typical acoustic melodies and harmonising vocals, to the hard headbanging riffs and awkward rhythms, which make this record a great and original piece.

    In terms of production, it has improved from the last album, however, it still lacks the power of Puzzle, and, as OR, it's overly produced. The drums barely kick ass much as the vocals, and the bass is most noticeable in this album, as it weakens the electric guitars. The lyrics are strong, as well as playfull and satirical, a style that's characterised this band for years.

    Overall, a great album.    … Expand
  6. italolinslemos
    Feb 2, 2013
    8
    Biffy Clyro was, from 2002 to 2004, a first-class alternative/progressive rock band. Even though their first three albums were very different from each other, they could superbly express their sadness, anger and happiness with dull timbres, fast tone attacks, large timing variations, dissonant notes and impressive melodies. Nevertheless, as anyone can tell, such things hardly make a living for professional musicians. It is necessary to hide the sharp edges if you're aiming for sucess. Then, from 2007 until now, they turned out into a pop/rock band; and that's what "Opposites" is all about: a tender pop/rock album that may please FM radio listeners. But still Biffy Clyro shines: all the songs in this album are catchy and amazingly designed. Hands down, the second disc is the best thing they've made since "Puzzle" (2007). Neil Simon and the Johnston brothers are so talented that they can't make it go wrong. So, if you are already a Biffy fan, there's no way you're not going to love this album. On the other hand, "Opposites" feels like they're still spoiling their talent, and I'm still unsure if it is preferable to be on the top of the Billboard sellings rather than on the top of the best rock bands of all times given they're capable of both and, so far, it has been a dichotomy.… Expand
  7. Tokyochuchu
    Jan 29, 2013
    10
    This album shocked me. I like Biffy Clyro but they've never been among my favorite bands. I've always felt that their output has been inconsistent, ranging from fantastic (Infinity Land) to mediocre (Puzzle) to poor (Vertigo of Bliss). The thought of a double album from such a hit or miss band was frankly terrifying. I envisioned a bloated mess stuffed full of filler. Amazingly, Opposites is utterly brilliant! It's easily Biffy Clyro's best album in my opinion. Making a 22 track album with no bad songs is an almost impossible feat but the band totally knocked it out of the park. It's also one of the most emotionally stirring records I've heard for quite some time. Surprisingly excellent stuff for the Clyro!… Expand
  8. Hestefesten
    Jan 29, 2013
    10
    I absolutely love this album, I think it has some decent variety with songs like Modern Magic Formula that sounds a bit more like the old Biffy to Spanish Radio that is quite special, to Trumpet or Tap that simply has awesome vocals! The songs to stand out are imo: Different People, Sounds Like Balloons, The Joke's On Us (Best song on album), Modern Magic Formula, Trumpet Or Tap. I like all songs, and I might love other songs just as much as I listen to them more. Lyrically I love the album, Biffy has lyrics that range from very heartfelt to **** weird... And I love it, The Joke's On Us and Sounds Like Balloons are top notch lyrically in my opinion. It could have been more raw, but I get that they can't do that on the album.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. PopMatters
    Mar 13, 2013
    60
    Fans of Biffy Clyro will dive headlong into these 20 new songs and embrace them as feverishly as anything the band have previously released, but that’s not to say that this record isn’t without its flaws.
    Read full review
  2. Slant Magazine
    Mar 6, 2013
    70
    Opposites is ultimately a surprisingly immediate and rewarding listen, compensating in consistency for what it lacks in depth.
    Read full review
  3. Alternative Press
    Feb 26, 2013
    80
    It's the perfect addition to their ever idiosyncratic and unpredictable repertoire. [Apr 2013, p.86]
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