Biffy Clyro

‘Puzzles’

Roadrunner Records

So, if I was sitting on perhaps one of the best bands that you’ve probably never heard of, you would want me to tell you right? Yeah, that’s kind of what I figured. So here goes – they are a humble bunch of lads from the sunny shores of Scotland named Biffy Clyro. Their latest, ‘Puzzles,’ is a melting pot of definite sound, combining a cacophony of musical elements into one, and the end game sound is brilliant.

‘Puzzles’ is one of the best records I have heard to come across the pond in a handful of years, and it’s not hard to realize why. They have so many different looks on this record, and they can really hit you with almost anything around any turn. Some of ‘Puzzles’ is heavy, some of it is poppy, some of it is atmospheric and new wave and almost all of it is catchy and singable. Biffy Clyro employ smart hooks to catch your attention and wondrous musicianship to hold on to it. The guitars are excellent from start to finish, and the vocals carry the bulk of the load on ‘Puzzles.’ They have the ability to go from loud to a quiet, piano filled lull (’Semi-Mental 4/15ths’), and that speaks volumes to the talent behind the guitar work. ‘Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies’ and ‘Saturday Superhouse’ are two of the better tracks off ‘Puzzles,’ and due in large part to the vocals. Simon Neil is labeled the lead singer, but actually all three members of this band sing, but you really wouldn’t know it. They all intertwine and play off each other so well there isn’t much distinction between them. The provocatively titled ‘Get F***ked Stud’ has the look of a classic late 70’s punk song, and it really is a tale of two halves. The first half is a slow tempo, beautiful sounding ballad, and the second half is more a rocking affair. Why Biffy Clyro saves one of their best songs for the end of the record is beyond me, but they do just that with the heavily championed ‘Folding Stars.’ Housing perhaps the cleanest hook chorus of ‘Puzzles,’ ‘Folding Stars’ is just the sweet, sweet icing of the already delicious cake that is ‘Puzzles.’

‘Puzzles’ is almost an overwhelming affair musically, due to its menagerie of musical sounds. Biffy Clyro has something here, now it is just up to the rest of the world to take notice.          

Rocks Like:

- Foo Fighters – ‘The Colour and the Shape’

- Weezer – ‘The Blue Album’

- Maritime – ‘Heresy and the Hotel Choir’