albums and tracks

In 2004, Art Brut formed a band and told us they were going to write a song "that makes Israel and Palestine get along". If third album Art Brut vs Satan is anything to go by, it seems they've lost their way.

Composed almost entirely of their standard three-and-a-half minute post-punk social commentary, it's a pretty similar beast to previous efforts. What has developed, however, is a dash of bitterness towards both the record-buying public and other bands. It's executed with tongue in cheek, but where vocalist Eddie Argos used to chirp delightedly about such trivialities as having a new girlfriend, he now seems weary at competing against a world of bands trying to sound like U2. Instead he wants more groups to sound like Art Brut, a mantra he details on 'Slap Dash For No Cash'.

'What A Rush', meanwhile, is a fine example of what the band are capable of when they really get down to it. Urgent guitars flit around Argos's morning-after-the-night-before monologue, as yelped backing vocals provide a stark counterpoint. "I should be guilt-ridden/I'm just wondering where my clothes are hidden," Argos quips before making for the door.

Elsewhere, on 'The Replacements' and 'Alcoholics Unanimous', they've clearly worked on beefing up their sound, with excellent spiralling riffs half-inched from The Damned.

But while there are plenty of ideas to enjoy - and lyrics to memorise - the simple truth is that if you didn't like Art Brut the first two times round, there's precious little to draw you in here.

Neal Parsons