Near-misses enliven Argos hit catalogue

Jan 30 2008 By Richard Jackson

ART BRUT

Birmingham Barfly

ART Brut seem to revel in being glorious failures.

Their band motto of "Art Brut, Top of the Pops" is doubly ironic, seeing as they are no closer to topping the charts than they were when they started and the TV show they dream of doesn't exist any more.

But they're still a fantastically entertaining live act and if fame doesn't come lead singer Eddie Argos's way, it won't be through a lack of trying.

The sound in the Barfly being decidedly ropey, the five-piece band decide to rip through the Britpop songs with speed and noise.

This means a bit of the subtlety is lost - although their Disco 2000-esque tale of first love, Emily Kane, is as sweet as ever.

And Eddie adds a hint of mayhem to proceedings, ripping up the setlist and playing songs on a whim.

He launches himself into the audience twice, once with such venom that he sent about a quarter of the crowd flying before calmly walking to the bar, asking the barmaid's name and then returning to the stage to dedicate the next song to her.

He ends the gig with their two 'biggest' hits (ie. Top 50) Good Weekend and Formed A Band spliced together, lapping up the crowd's chants as he departs.

VERDICT: ****