Brilliant! Tragic!
Brilliant! Tragic! is the fourth studio album by Art Brut, released on 23 May 2011. The album was recorded in Salem, Oregon, and was the second by the band to be produced by Frank Black, best known as the frontman of Pixies. To accompany the album, a comic book version of Brilliant! Tragic! was released at the same time.
| Brilliant! Tragic! | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 23 May 2011 | |||
| Recorded | December 2010 at Wavelength Studios, Salem, Oregon | |||
| Genre | Indie rock Garage rock Garage punk | |||
| Label | Downtown (US) Cooking Vinyl (Europe) | |||
| Producer | Frank Black | |||
| Art Brut chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Brilliant! Tragic! | ||||
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The track listing and release details were confirmed in early March 2011.
Art Brut frontman Eddie Argos described Brilliant! Tragic! as his "favourite" Art Brut album, saying that it was definitely their "greatest" album so far. "Bang Bang Rock & Roll did what it said on the tin", Argos explained, "It's A Bit Complicated was a bit complicated. On Art Brut vs. Satan we had to fight Satan. This one follows the same pattern, it is a 'brilliant, tragic', record. If it was a TV show you'd define it as a dramedy."
On the subject matter for the album, Argos said; "This time the album is more about how I think I’m psychic, songs for my funeral, the principality of Sealand and Axl Rose. Weightier topics I think. I’m also sexier now" He also comments on the band's current musical direction, stating that "with the last album we'd just remembered we were a punk band again so it was all four to the floor rock out. This time there are a few songs to let you catch your breath so when we do rock the fuck out again it hits home harder."