Emily's Albums A to Z

Listened: Thursday May 20

Ah, Art Brut. When I heard the first strains of this album I worried about what to say in this entry. I know of many people who find Art Brut annoying. Their singer doesn’t really sing – he talks or yells – and they can push the bounds of irony past reasonable limits.

But I find that funny. The fact that they’re British probably gives them a pass.

Maybe this will give you some idea of what I mean:

A song about not being able to get it up? (Rusted Gun of Milan – “Don’t tell your friends!”)

A song about the wonders of a new girlfriend? (Good Weekend – “I’ve seen her naked — twice!!”)

A song dripping with extreme irony about the power of music? (Formed A Band – “We’re going to write the song that makes Israel and Palestine get along.”)

A song about how riled up you can get looking at the wonders of modern art? (“Modern art makes me want to rock out.”)

A song describing a pasty white British music dork’s wet dream? (Moving to LA – “I’m drinking Henessey, With Morrissey.”)

Really the best song on the album, though, is actually somewhat serious. Emily Kane is about the singer’s first girlfriend, when they were 15 and they “didn’t understand how to do much more than just hold hands”. Even in the midst of real emotion, that extreme irony can’t be completely held back though – ” I hope this song finds you fame, I want schoolkids on buses singing your name”.

Definitely one of the most tongue-in-cheek albums I own, amongst quite a few to choose from.