When listening to Ellipsis for the first time, I felt something might be wrong the moment Friends and Enemies finished. I knew Biffy Clyro's direction into a more mainstream sound had put off people (although I loved Only Revolutions and Opposites) but this song in particular, sounded too generic and familiar, in that it was like every-other soft pop-rock song of the last thirty years.
I hoped it was a blip on an album I was desperately looking forward to. I'd heard the singles and whilst Wolves of Winter and Animal Style were very good, they didn't offer anything unique and ultimately, there were similar songs previously released by the band that simply sounded better.
But when the album concluded, I felt robbed. Something was wrong when my favourite track was on the Deluxe Edition (In the Name of the Wee Man) which meant, not only a significant portion of listeners would miss it, but that, it was one of a few tracks that sounded like Biffy Clyro and not a collection of mediocre rock songs.
It's a difficult one, as when Ellipsis conforms to the more traditional Biffy Clyro tropes, whilst it's sounds stereotypical at this point, at least it's entertaining. Opener Wolves of Winter features the same unusual chord structures and time signatures that have separated the band from their contemporaries, but it's certainly not a career highlight, nor one of the band's absolute best.
Animal Style features a catchy chorus and some great use of effect pedals for a short and sweet burst of energy, clearly made for radio play, but again, it's nothing new.
On a Bang is the closest you'll get to the experimentation seen on The Vertigo of Bliss and Infinity Land. At just under three minutes, it's an unusual song, but conflictingly familiar and a much needed jolt in the album's second half.
On a Bang is the closest you'll get to the experimentation seen on The Vertigo of Bliss and Infinity Land. At just under three minutes, it's an unusual song, but conflictingly familiar and a much needed jolt in the album's second half.
Where the album seems to fail is the slower melodies and styles which stop the album stone dead. I'll admit, I never liked Machines, but in turn, I really liked God & Satan and Little Soldiers so the idea of slower, more acoustic ballads never bothered me.
The problem with Ellipsis is the album constantly throws back to this genre and fluctuates between a formula of tiresome, generic rock songs, intimate acoustic-based songs and the occasional hint of Mon the Biff.
The aforementioned generic rock songs annihilate the middle of the album so badly, it never recovers. Herex is musically similar to Biblical, but lacks the enjoyable melody and additional effects pedals. I'd say Howl sounds like a b-side from Only Revolutions but that does a disservice to the numerous great b-sides from that era.
Whilst Medicine isn't a bad song, it feels like an drawn out God & Satan. Whereas three minutes was enough to deliver a melancholic punch with the latter, Medicine feels like a lull, in a record that desperately needs a boost from is narcoleptic state.
The problem with Ellipsis is the album constantly throws back to this genre and fluctuates between a formula of tiresome, generic rock songs, intimate acoustic-based songs and the occasional hint of Mon the Biff.
The aforementioned generic rock songs annihilate the middle of the album so badly, it never recovers. Herex is musically similar to Biblical, but lacks the enjoyable melody and additional effects pedals. I'd say Howl sounds like a b-side from Only Revolutions but that does a disservice to the numerous great b-sides from that era.
Whilst Medicine isn't a bad song, it feels like an drawn out God & Satan. Whereas three minutes was enough to deliver a melancholic punch with the latter, Medicine feels like a lull, in a record that desperately needs a boost from is narcoleptic state.
The other issue (and one I never thought would happen with a Biffy Clyro album) is, lyrically, it's not very interesting and all rather generic. The visceral imagery and obtuse metaphors of previous albums is replaced with heavy-handed obviousness and generic terminology.
Combing the absolute worst traits of both issues is Small Wishes; a country bumpkin track which focuses on Scottish Independence in which one verse mentions a lizard, a wolf and a lamb, but never covers them again and instead focuses on Neil not getting what he wanted.
Re-arrange; a gentle, pop song with a catchy vocal harmony, features the most intimate lyrics ever penned by Neil with even softer vocals, but the song ultimately boils down to not breaking someones heart.
Re-arrange; a gentle, pop song with a catchy vocal harmony, features the most intimate lyrics ever penned by Neil with even softer vocals, but the song ultimately boils down to not breaking someones heart.
Much like Puzzle, Ellipsis' ends with People; an acoustic-led ballad with additional soundscapes making it distinct from Machines. Narratively, Neil again laments how he has the sickest tongue, but minus a few prods at his own psyché on the record, there's little evidence for it.
It's unfortunate as, whilst Ellipsis isn't a bad album, it certainly isn't as distinct, memorable or interesting as Biffy Clyro's previous efforts. At it's absolute worst; it's a generic, timid and bland record that simply has it's moments.
Whether it's a deceitful beginning, the momentary recovery with Animal Style and a return to the experimentation with On a Bang, these are brief respites from a record constantly either slowing to a crawl or churning away with little rhyme or reason.
An Ellipsis is often mistaken for a comma in literature, but in modern writing, it can be used for comedic effect in informal pieces as a break or being stunned. With this album however, one can only hope that this Ellipsis is indeed that in Biffy Clyro's discography and the band's next album, will match the quality of their previous releases.
5/10
H
@Retcon_Nation
It's unfortunate as, whilst Ellipsis isn't a bad album, it certainly isn't as distinct, memorable or interesting as Biffy Clyro's previous efforts. At it's absolute worst; it's a generic, timid and bland record that simply has it's moments.
Whether it's a deceitful beginning, the momentary recovery with Animal Style and a return to the experimentation with On a Bang, these are brief respites from a record constantly either slowing to a crawl or churning away with little rhyme or reason.
An Ellipsis is often mistaken for a comma in literature, but in modern writing, it can be used for comedic effect in informal pieces as a break or being stunned. With this album however, one can only hope that this Ellipsis is indeed that in Biffy Clyro's discography and the band's next album, will match the quality of their previous releases.
5/10
H
@Retcon_Nation
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