Biffy Clyro - 'That Golden Rule'
It's probably a result of some deep-rooted shallowness on my part - and by 'deep' I'm talking at least 2cm, maybe 3 - but there's something amazing about the first single from a new album by an established artist. It's like the slate has been cleaned, but expectations are still high, so you're sort of reliving what you first liked about someone, but in more detail, cos you're REALLY paying attention this time, while being impressed at how they've grown.
It also marks a cut-off point between what they have done up to now, and the future. It's too late to go back and mine the last album for extra thrills, because whatever we may think about the artist in question, it's almost definitely out of date. They've since gone off to the foothills of Mount Creativity, and dug up a fresh new batch of amazing-ore, and this is the first, freshest example of what they have found.
And best of all, if what they have found turns out to be fool's gold, then you can go around all your friends and, in whispers, find out if they feel the same way. It's like a dark secret... "OMG have you heard the new U2/Sugababes/Mika single? What happened there?"
(. Does he really need TWO microphones, if he's miming?)
Biffy are clearly aware of this, and have come out fighting. There will be no shadowy gangs of muttering disaffected former fans: Not when 'That Golden Rule' has grabbed them by the scruff of the neck and banged all their heads together. Not when that hardcore riffola has prodded them sharply in the ribs and demanded that they show some loyalty, or maybe consider getting into the Jonas Brothers instead.
Not when Simon Neil's street-gang vocals have everyone surrounded, and yelled them into submission, only to tickle them with a softypop chorus. Not when the last third of the song has lifted the punk ramalama into dramatic orchestral/prog rock territory (that's right, it's a ramalama drama, Mama).
And what could the naysayers say anyway? Biffy have gone soft? Hardly. They've sold out by adding strings? Nope, it's not even the first time. It's boring? Safe? Too MOR? Too punk? They've failed to put a donk on it?
No, no, no, no and uh, what?
The bottom line is this: You can't really argue with a song that starts like Gallows and ends like the theme to Ski Sunday, as played by Led Zeppelin. So don't even try.
Download: Out now
CD Released: August 24th
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comment number 1.
At 19th Aug 2009, keithfusco wrote:Nice mention of two great bands. The Gallows and Zep.
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Comment number 2.
At 19th Aug 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:Not to mention the eternal brilliance of the Ski Sunday theme... ;-)
Thanks Keith!
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Comment number 3.
At 19th Aug 2009, keithfusco wrote:That is true too, Fraser! How can you ever forget that theme lol.
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Comment number 4.
At 19th Aug 2009, thranjax wrote:An absolutely brilliant track from Biffy Clyro. An unusual song structure, the complex chord sequences and layering we expect from them, and references that don't drown out the originality of the song itself.
Love the balcony setting in the video. Love the stabby strings which keep a link to their work on Puzzle. Love the picture at the top of this page where it looks like Zaphod Beeblebrox has joined them.
And the mics? Two Mikes, One Mime, what else?? Get yer skis out!
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Comment number 5.
At 19th Aug 2009, Daniel wrote:Keith Fusco?
Of North East Urbex fame?
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Comment number 6.
At 20th Aug 2009, keithfusco wrote:Dannyboy: The very same!
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Comment number 7.
At 20th Aug 2009, spirit wrote:Great review Fraser .
This is what we want from a comeback single .
A huge song full of twists and turns that tears up the rule book.
Puzzle was a brilliant album , and the track Living's a problem because everything dies is outstanding .
Biffy Clyro are currently in New York recording the new album and it sounds fantastic .
Just wait until you hear the new track "CAPTAIN " which they finished last week .
Awesome .
I predicted top 20 for this track months ago .
Nothings changed !
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Comment number 8.
At 20th Aug 2009, thranjax wrote:Dear Mr. Warrior,
My name is Melvin Fuzzcane and I am acting as solicitor for the Top Twenty Charts. I would like to know how you are aware that there are intended to be twenty records in this weeks top twenty chart?
This is very privileged information and as you must no doubt be aware the premature release of such data could ruin the livelihoods of everyone involved, and cripple the career of numbers such as Twenty One, Twenty Two, Twenty Three.. and so on.
Could you inform me by return of post where this information originates from, and I will then not have to invoke further legal action, or the ancient rites of Cthulhu in bringing you to swift tentacular justice. I don't want to sound heavy, but as I write this the Lord of the Top Forty is aiming a bazooka at my face and looking tense,
Yours Sincerely,
Melvin Fuzzcane (Mrs)
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Comment number 9.
At 20th Aug 2009, spirit wrote:WOW , that's a lot nicer than previous e-mails I have had from managers of bands !
Are you hitting on me ? xxx
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Comment number 10.
At 20th Aug 2009, thranjax wrote:Dear Mr. Warrior,
The Fuzzcane is not something you would wish to be hit with.
Please desist as requested!
Mr. Fuzzcane
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Comment number 11.
At 20th Aug 2009, spirit wrote:OK but BIFFY are one of my favourite bands.
Quiz question....
Does anyone out there , know how BIFFY CLYRO got their name ?
The truth is stranger than reality........
Who's gonna guess ?
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Comment number 12.
At 20th Aug 2009, spirit wrote:The new BIFFY CLYRO album WILL BE CALLED ..........
ONLY REVOLUTIONS !
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Comment number 13.
At 20th Aug 2009, Daniel wrote:What a small world...
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Comment number 14.
At 21st Aug 2009, keithfusco wrote:It is, Danny. I predict this will be in the top ten. I was told by a reliable source in the record industry.
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Comment number 15.
At 21st Aug 2009, MozFoz wrote:Great song and a consistently good band. I very much loved Puzzle, but I think I see big changes in the songs coming forth. Puzzle had a lot of content about Simon's mother passing away, I think this new material will be inspired from other sources, and so the undertones of grief and regret and bitterness could be replaced with something different. This makes matters interesting. Same's happened with Arctic Monkeys though, different places in life result in new ideas in music. I'm definitely buying Only Revolutions.
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