Biffy Clyro - Only Revolutions (Album Review)

Biffy Clyro are probably one of my favourite bands EVER! So, when I first heard the more commerical sounds on 2007 breakthrough album 'Puzzle', I wasn't sure what to make of its squeaky clean production and big pop choruses. I later came to the conclusion that it was a definate step in the right direction for the Scottish trio still keeping some beautifully fragile moments which Biffy always deliver best making it a quite an epic comeback. Two years on and Biffy have toured the world inside out and you'd think that they'd go into the studio and just churn out a load of radio-friendly pop songs, a bit like 2008 single 'Mountains', but that would be the wrong assumption my friend. Instead, on their fifth record Biffy have come back with probably there most unusal yet most epic record to date. Opening with the massive, brassed-soaked poprock tones of 'The Captain', it seems clear from the off that its going to be a more much upbeat and joyvial affair to that of 'Puzzle', which opened with a song entitled 'Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies'. And its pretty much from that point that the rest of the album is just one roller coaster of sounds and emotions, going from the punk-rock snarl of brilliant comeback single 'That Golden Rule' to the fuzzy-synth bass hook that dominates the very funky 'Born On A Horse'. Handling production duties is again 'Gggarth Richardson' who again has created a very clean and commerical sounding record with big American-style guitars which really add to some of big rock choruses here (Shock Shock/Booooom, Blast & Ruin) and really filling out the trios sparse rock set up with strings, brass, percussion, synths and woodblock (thats right folks, woodblock!). Of course this wouldn't be a Biffy Clyro album without at least one mellow moment and on here we get two! Firstly in the form of beautiful acoustic track 'God and Satan' which builds to an ending of horns and glokenspiel and secondly in the form of the soft rock, piano tinklings of 'Many Of Horror', which is a really fragile moment on the albumm enough to rival 'Machines' proberly the highlight of 'Puzzle'. Elsewhere we get the straight up pop monster that is 'Bubbles' and the big rock tunes that are 'Cloud of Stink' and 'Booooom, Blast & Ruin' which makes me understand why the Foo Fighters comparisons are getting thrown around alot lately. Basically this just a big, mental rock record but with alot of pop moments aswell some more hushed tones, but all delivered with alot of energy and the spirit that are making Biffy one of Britains favourite rock bands. Its quite a step from the bands first three albums and its not going to be everyones tastes, particually some of the die-hard Biffy fans, but it's a strong effort and I think I'm just about ready to send off our boys into the big league!

Rating: 7/10
Download: That Golden Rule / Bubbles / Booooom, Blast & Ruin

Only Revoultions is out on 14th Floor records on Monday November 2nd! The latest single 'The Captain' is out now and the band are currently on the tour around the UK now! Check www.mysapce.com/biffyclyro for more details!