Scottish noiseniks BIFFY CLYRO seem to have been kicking around the margins for an unholy amount of time, but the reality is really only a few years. They seem to be making stealthy progress, too, with UK club dates selling out and their hard-working, dues-paying approach paying off. All very commendable and something we'd endorse within split seconds round here.
New single "Eradicate The Doubt" won't do them any harm just now, either. It's sharp, spiky and yanked-up punk-funk, with the requisite plethora of tricky rhythms and overdriven, hardcore rushes all present and correct. Trouble is, when taken against the likes of labelmates Oceansize, it all sounds a bit tame and forced, and despite the passion singer/ guitarist Neil Simon is determined to imbue it with, the twisting rhythms and desperation to chuck in all manner of angular chicanes dilute rather than enhance.
The live tracks making up this maxi-single also hinder rather than help. Sure, the energy's there and the packed club atmosphere is impressive (the roar that greets the introduction of "57" is something to behold in itself), but the songs themselves try way too hard to deliver and ultimately only the closing "Now The Action Is On Fire!" seems to have any real purpose other than expending piss and vinegar.
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That Biffy Clyro have the commitment and stamina seems undeniable and this writer is by no means on drinking terms with the band's back catalogue, so he'd be foolish to dismiss them out of hand. However, on this evidence, they need the material to back up the band's all-to-obvious passion for what they do. Otherwise they're tearing themselves up for nothing and that's a great shame.
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