For the first time in years I wasted a couple of quid on Kerrang! because of a free CD on the cover. I used to buy these all the time mainly because of some fantastic tracks that were given away (free-ish). Much buzz has been made of Scottish 3-piece Biffy Clyro, and so I was tempted by a free track. And a damn good track “Get F***ed Stud” is. Something naggs at me though…and I reckon the only reason that song was on the CD was because of the title.

Scanning through the rest of the CD was an experience though.The likes of Lostphrophets have never really stirred me ever since I crewed for them during an N.M.E. tour many moons ago. They just don’t strike me as having a great deal to offer…limited style over substance. But even their offering was a work of art compared to one track: Aiden’s “Moment”.

If this is what constitutes rock or metal then it’s a God Damned shame.The song is horribly composed, lyrics are a saccharine cliché that would sound out of place on an [[American Pie]] rip off soundtrack. Listening to it reminded me of the last time I went out to a rock club. When I was in University, back in the dark ages of 1998 it didn’t matter what the Hell you wore or looked like. I got into mosh pits wearing jeans, a [[Bryan Adams]] teeshirt (yes…Bryan Adams) and some dodgy Vans. It didn’t matter to the goth next to me that when I got knocked over by a drunk in Napalm Death garb, as he still grabbed my arm to stop me hitting the deck. It was all about the music, in whatever form it took.

Then a few years later I went out with the boys and saw a horrible sight. Rock was now cool with Nu-metal and neo-Goths in abundance. Coloured hair and piercings are the order of the day, and kids would eye you up and down if you didn’t look cool enough. I though “what a shame”. And over the last few years, I haven’t been able to get excited about many sounds to come out of the genre. Until [[Biffy Clyro]].

The thing that is startlingly obvious when comparing the like of Aiden with true talent of a band like Biffy, is that how dull mainstream rock has become. There are sparks of genuine originality in Biffy. That’s not to say that they are completely off centre either…they just dip their feet in pop for long enough to grab you by the bits, and then hit you over the head with a breakdown or middle eight that takes you on a rollercoaster for the remainder of the track. You have songs like “Saturday Superhouse” which are solid slabs of rock, and then beautiful ballads like current single “Machines”. The standout track for me (altouhgh arguably softest) is “Folding Stars”. It kicks [[Snow Patrol]] into touch.

With echoes of Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age, they merge traditional British rock with more contemporary sounds that are befitting of a band that should be heading for much bigger stages. Prog elements are in abundance (I spotted a few Rush moments). The hooks and melodies are inventive, and the lyrics are at the very least interesting, and at best truly startling. “This Conversation Is…” being a prime example.

It is fantastic to feel excited about going to see a band again (Biffy are on tour thie autumn), and great to look forward to cranking up some new music on the daily drive to work. The fact that they are British is a bonus. I would recoomend anyone with a spare £6 in their pockets to go into Tescos and relieve them of a copy. It would be £6 very well spent indeed. And would save you from potentially putting £6 in Lostprophets or Aiden’s stylish pockets. And I cannot recommend that you just download the tracks I have mentioned. The album’s is by far too good for that…