When a band does a soundtrack to a movie and the music is nothing but theirs. Does it count as their n'th album? Would it come under the band's name in record shops or under soundtracks? Well that is the dilema for Biffy Clyro are in as they release the soundtrack for the film "Balance, not symmetry. If it did count as a Biffy album it would be their 8th album. Which I think it should really. This album has been on the cards for a while as they talked about it in interviews. But the actual release of the album felt like it came out of nowhere as the official annocement came on a Thursday with the lead single "Balance, not symmetry". Then the album dropped the very next day.
My first impressions of the first single were not good. Biffy are known to go off on all sorts of tangents with their music, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes I feel they overcomplicate their music to such an extent it's difficult to take it in. But when they get it right, they really do get it right. Anyway, the intro to "Balance, not symmetry" did fall into the category of overcomplicating intros and is quite full on, not wasting anytime. For me the song does develop well into more of a tune as the song goes on but by then I felt that I already had made my mind up. I wasn't going to listen to the rest of the album when it was out the next day.
A week later, without reading anything about the album on social media or in the press. I decided to give it a chance and listened to the album the whole way through. And I have to say I was pleasently surprised. Not only was the single "Balance, not symmetry" including intro growing on me. But I thouroughly enjoyed the whole journey of listening to the rest of the album. For me the tracks remind me of the softer, more anthemic anthems on albums like "Puzzle" and "Opposites". While still exploring their own soundscapes. This is a very listenable and not overly complicated ouput by the 3 piece Scottish outfit.
I think the moments on this album I like the most are the ones which deeply strike a chord. The songs which do this the most are "Different kind of love", "Fever Dream", "Adored" and "Yellow". "Yellow" in particular is a piano led track with no vocals and I would be very surpised if it wasn't in the movie. I haven't seen the movie but I can visualise scenes from the movie in my head with the these tracks playing in the background. These songs are so touching that the movie could potentially bring you to tears if done right. Well the songs have been done right anyway.
I will investigate this further but the fact that this is a soundtrack does lead to more questions. What came first, the movie or the soundtrack? Or did Biffy write the songs as the movie was being made? were the lyrics written at the same time as the script? Will Biffy tour this album? I'm sure Biffy have great answers to all these great questions.
I have mentioned the more poignent moments on the album but there are other sides to the album too. For example "Tunnels and Trees" is a very catchy, perky, upbeat number with a fantastic piano loop which is present throughout the track. "The Naturals" starts off with Simon singing with an acousitc guitar. But it doesn't take long for this song to explode into life as the drums, electric guitar and bass kicks in. It's one of my favourite tracks on the album. "Touch" like "The Naturals" is another wonderful song. Such great anthems and soaring choruses. This is Biffy at their best.
In saying that I would say although there not really any bad tracks on the album, there are some forgetable tracks that I'm already skipping. So its not the perfect album and I would say the likes of "Puzzle" and "Blackened Sky" are better and more complete albums. But out of all the albums they have done I would probably rank it 3rd best. Which is saying something - that its worth your time and attention. If the film is anywhere near as good as the soundtrack it will take you on a rollercoaster full of highs and lows. If they get the film right they could be on to a real winner.
