Biffy ClyroBiffy Clyro are a band that slides across genres – at times they are quintessential UK indie scenesters and other times they pump out some filthy fat guitar riff that would sit easily on the shelf next to some of the world's renowned metal bands. On their sixth album, Opposites, the record company machine has been in full swing labelling this record as the band's most varied to date. And whilst there are songs that are quite different to what the band has done previously, it's mainly in the production phase of recording that the subtleties are made apparent. For instance, Spanish Radio features a long instrumental section complete with a horn section nattering out a stereotypical 'Spanish' theme. There a quite a few string sections on the album as well, and honestly the album feels more like a long drawn-out series of rocked-up ballads, with singer Simon Neil whining about love gone wrong.
Lead single, Stingin' Belle, offers a fresh aspect early on before caving into a now signature “Biffy mellow moment”. Opening track Different People just seems a bizarre choice for kicking off, as it's slow and melodic, but lifeless and drab. The Joke's On Us, a mid tempo rocker, is classic Biffy Clyro, with a half-time chorus, whilst Victory Over The Sun begins life as a fragile and intricate track, before taking a turn for the epic about halfway through.
Biffy Clyro are undoubtedly talented but Opposites seems more like a band in the final throes of creativity. At times melodies sound overtly familiar, and the band's musical phrases become tired and predictable.
