Art Brut

It's a Bit Complicated

Downtown

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When the Libertines imploded there was any number of bands ready to try to step into the vacuum. Unfortunately most of them seemed to mistake Pete and Carl's sloppiness for the Libertines' defining characteristic. Lost somehow was the humor of their lyrics, as well as the anthemic and hummable melodic qualities of their songwriting. Luckily Art Brut was there, too. Much of the band's early output was purposefully crass, arch and foppish. And at the same time, they played deliciously soused riffs: With their super trashy approach and smartass lyrics, they had two out of three aspects of the Libertines' greatness mastered. The only thing standing between them and the Libertines' crown on their debut album was the emotional universality of, say, "Time for Heroes." With this, Art Brut's second release, they've now hit the trifecta. "Nag Nag Nag Nag," for instance, or "People in Love" show the Bruts aren't afraid to aspire to a sing-along anthem. Best part? They succeed. Put this on and prepare to revel in boozy, smart rock and roll.

-- Tim Mohr