Ellipsis
by Biffy Clyro
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
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  1. Kerrang!
    Jul 13, 2016
    80
    Ellipsis is the band's best album since Puzzle. [16 Jul 2016, p.50]
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  2. The Observer (UK)
    Jul 11, 2016
    80
    It’s clear the fierce, weird and wonderful Biffy still have plenty of ambition.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Jul 8, 2016
    80
    An ambitious double album filled with reverb and distortion this it not, but if a new, playful kind of Biffy Clyro take your fancy, there’s more than enough of Ellipsis to dive headfirst into.
  5. Q Magazine
    Jul 7, 2016
    80
    This is one of Biffy Clyro's best records yet. [Aug 2016, p.106]
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  6. Mojo
    Jul 7, 2016
    80
    With its children's choir,s its nods to Tears For Fears circa Songs From The Big Chair, and its Kanye and Kendrick Lamar-inspired production tics, the rest of Ellipsis also brings a fresh twist to Biffy's rampant stop-start riffage. [Aug 2016, p.98]
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  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jul 7, 2016
    80
    The whole feel of the album is fun, shackle-free, uninhibited, but still masterfully crafted. In fact, by opening themselves up Biffy Clyro have captured the spirit of a brand-new band again.
  8. Rock Sound
    Jul 7, 2016
    80
    All told, this is an almighty beast of a record--yet another in the now bulging Biffy Clyro canon. They’re well and truly settled into a creative groove now, making the improbable seem like a reflex, as easy and instinctive as breathing.
  9. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jul 7, 2016
    80
    Recent converts need not be overly alarmed, however, for while Ellipsis contains some of the most aggressive material Biffy have yet recorded (Wolves Of Winter, the gloriously infectious Animal Style and On A Bang) there are equal measures of fragile beauty.
  10. 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.
  11. The Line of Best Fit
    Jul 7, 2016
    75
    Whilst there aren’t as many obvious hits on this record as 2009’s chart-bothering Only Revolutions, Ellipsis is an album that will undoubtedly keep Biffy Clyro right at the top of British rock’s hierarchy.
  12. AllMusic
    Jul 14, 2016
    70
    The truth is that Ellipsis is a pleasingly efficient album that never sounds incomplete or labored. If anything, Biffy Clyro have discovered new ways to boil down their more complex thoughts and emotions into snarling, meaty pop slogans.
  13. Uncut
    Jul 7, 2016
    70
    A rewarding evolution by a band that could easily coast on their rugged laurels. [Aug 2016, p.72]
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  14. Drowned In Sound
    Jul 7, 2016
    70
    Ellipsis isn’t a career-defining album. ... This is a worthy addition to their catalogue and a couple of songs are their in years. For a band on album seven, that’s still an achievement.
  15. Entertainment Weekly
    Jul 15, 2016
    67
    At its core, Ellipsis is a proficient alt-rock record.
  16. No Ripcord
    Jul 26, 2016
    60
    While there are highlights, the album often feels very safe.
  17. Record Collector
    Jul 15, 2016
    60
    Occasionally you find yourself flinching at how closely Biffy Clyro have adhered to the uplifting radio-rock format.
  18. The Independent (UK)
    Jul 7, 2016
    60
    Ellipsis finds Biffy Clyro reverting for the most part to the core blend of melody and heaviness that draws comparisons with Muse.
  19. Consequence
    Jul 7, 2016
    58
    Clearly Biffy Clyro see themselves as strivers, a band that charges relentlessly forward. But at times, listeners might wonder if they’re headed in any interesting direction.
  20. The Guardian
    Jul 7, 2016
    40
    For the most part, there’s a distinct lack of joy, discovery and invention here.

User Reviews

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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
  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 likelyThere 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."    … Full Review »
  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 trilogyTomskaaar'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.    … Full Review »
  3. 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    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 !    … Full Review »
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