Art Brut

Last night British pop sensations Art Brut hit Chicago, and they provided a high-energy set full of fun and excitement. Their first single, last year's "Formed a Band" (which was present in spirit in my very first blog entry), was an attention-getting salvo, and I've been keeping my eye on them ever since. Two more singles followed, and finally an album. None of this is available domestically, though, but that's hardly a problem these days with the possibility of ordering off the Internet. Their sound is straight-ahead, almost punky (as opposed to the more new-wave influences of most of the hot new Brit bands), but what makes them distinctive is front man Eddie Argos. His declaiming, haranging song-speak is highly reminiscent of Mark E. Smith (and how many commentators have made that comparison before me?--it can't be helped, though, it's just that blatant), but his persona is much closer to Jarvis Cocker (and I'm not the first to make note of that, either). I'd be very happy to get my point across by doing nothing more than quoting lines from songs (which is the approach taken in the Pitchfork album review), displaying their archness and irony (notwithstanding Argos's protestations to the contrary) but demonstrating how they keep their sense of humor front and center. Yet, Art Brut is not the one-trick pony it could be. Despite the knowing detachment they exude, they can still convey adolescent yearning in "Emily Kane" and even pathos in "Rusted Guns of Milan."

Since they don't have a domestic record contract, it appears that they've put this US tour together without the aid of a major or even indie label, a mortgage company, or an investment firm. Is it a DIY international tour? I don't know, but more power to them if it is. Argos established a nice interaction with the audience. After leading off with "Formed a Band," Argos archly opened the floor for questions but seemed genuinely surprised when he actually got a couple. Chicago audiences aren't as jaded as those on the coasts, and they're often willing to play along. Although the songs could have inspired remoteness or detachment, Argos never let his rapport with the audience slip. He claimed the band is determined to remain shambolic (an adjective that started to annoy even Edwyn Collins when it continued to be applied to Orange Juice year after year) no matter how successful they got, and judging from last night's show, they've got nothing to worry about.

Opening the show were The Hot Machines, which consists of Chicago musicians Miss Alex White, Jered from the Ponys, and Matt from the Baseball Furies. They rarely play together anymore, what with their various other commitments, and I'm not sure what the future holds for them, but they gave us a blistering set full of power. Two guitars (no bass) and drums seemed to make more noise than most bands I've seen lately. It was nice to get the blood rushing.

The Art Brut tour is very brief. They had a travel day today, and then tomorrow night they play the first of two nights in LA to close it out. Will they be drinking Hennessey with Morrissey? Stay tuned.