Pitchfork Forkcast: Video: Art Brut: Various Songs (Live on "The Interface")

Video: Art Brut: Various Songs (Live on "The Interface")

I can't help it: Have you heard these songs before? It's not eight weeks in a row on "Top of the Pops", but Art Brut recently stopped by Spinner's "The Interface" to perform selections from their charmingly self-aware sophomore album, It's a Bit Complicated. An opening rendition of make-out interrupting "Pump Up the Volume" feels a bit slower than the album version. Then frontman Eddie Argos introduces the new record's big anthem, "Post Soothing Out", as a song about "the saddest text message ever". The energy level picks up for "Direct Hit", which may not foment peace in the Middle East but deserves to be some kind of hit.

The set closes with a medley of euphoric Bang Bang Rock & Roll singles "Good Weekend"-- which benefits here from a MySpace reference-- and "Formed a Band". In a post-set interview, Argos discusses the new album, being the subject of a Berlin university course called "The Depressive Dandy", the Art Brut "franchises", and the I, Claudius vibe of the "Direct Hit" video. Oh, also, apparently some kid who plays a wizard in a movie or something likes them.

Video:> Art Brut: Various Songs (Live on "The Interface")

[It's a Bit Complicated is out now on Downtown]

Thu: 05-15-08: 03:30 PM CDT
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