Ok this one's a bit late but hey ho. Every now and then I'll be inclined to write one of these about a song more than an album and here's another of those although the album's great too. Biffy Clyro may well be by far the most established band I've written one of these about but I have to share this with you.
Biffy have been around for a while now, maybe even as long as us, making music for a long time (again a lot like us) for a small amount of devoted and very noisy fans. They have, for years, deserved to sell way more than they did and in the last few years they have begun to get what they richly deserve. They have been one of my favourite bands for a long time and always surprise me with both their supreme heaviness and their effortless and sometimes ethereal way with melody. It's rare for such a monster of a band to have such a deft melodic touch.
Well, they have surprised me once more. This time though I'm overwhelmed.
Their album, Only Revolutions, is out this week and on it (along with many other great things) is a wondersong. Jacknife Lee (also Snow Patrol's producer) produced it and was working on it in his house when I was visiting. I snuck in and caught a listen and was blown away completely. The song is Many of Horror and it is the single greatest rock song (in my opinion of course, oh hell it just is!) I've heard in the last ten years.
It starts delicate and gliding but with a lyrical sting in the tail singer Simon Neil is so incredibly gifted at: "You say 'I love you boy' but I know you lie". Throughout the lyrics are stunning combinations of beauty and horror, tenderness and violence: "(Be)cause when my back is turned my bruises shine". My word! It rises from its pianissimo beginnings into a staggering collision of guitars, drums, strings and ecstasy.
It is a big, big song but it never feels overblown to me as its heart is so gigantic and pure. With this Biffy have written their Magnum Opus and one of the truly great songs (full stop) of this decade. I felt privileged to be one of the first to hear (even if it was only that I was in the right place at the right time). It's now out there for anyone to get their hands on and I hope it brings you all as much joy as it does me. Only one thing left to say then really:
MON THE BIFFY!!
g.xx
Biffy Clyro on myspace.
Biffy Clyro's website.
3:49 PM | 13/11/2009
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It takes my breath away.It one of those songs that you fall in from the first seconds you hear it and cant get enought of it.
Posted by Cristina at 9:50 PM | 13/11/2009 | Report Abuse
Ok you have definately swayed me on this one Gary, I will definately get a ticket to their Sydney show in January now!
Posted by Lorraine at 10:11 PM | 13/11/2009 | Report Abuse
what can i say the guy's got good taste.
Posted by jack taylor at 6:47 PM | 14/11/2009 | Report Abuse
wow! you're right Gary, this song is really beautiful!
I'm doing collection of your favorite songs lol...
love you :)
Posted by JustSayYes at 12:57 AM | 15/11/2009 | Report Abuse
From all of Gary's Bands of The Week, till far,this is my favorite! This song is amazing!
Posted by Kiki at 7:58 PM | 16/11/2009 | Report Abuse
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