Exclusive Premiere: Art Brut Find Earthquakes Exhilarating in ‘Arizona Bay’
Click to listen to Art Brut’s ‘Arizona Bay’
British punk rockers Art Brut are celebrating their 10th anniversary together this spring with a new best-of compilation called Top of the Pops. According to frontman Eddie Argos, the two-disc set offers proof that the quintet has met its ambition to be ranked as a “classic rock band” instead of an “art band.”
“Unfortunately, it is impossible to begin your career as a classic rock band, no matter how often you persist in referring to yourself as one,” Argos said in a statement. “Over the last ten years, however, Art Brut have been tirelessly working towards the moment we could finally call ourselves a classic rock band and know in our heart of hearts that it was true. Our mission is finally complete.”
Tucked in among the band’s classic singles, B-sides, demos, live recordings and covers, the album includes two new tracks, which Art Brut says are about “enjoying natural disasters and making pop music. Optimistic rebirth.”
In the brutally jaunty “Arizona Bay,” which Rolling Stone is exclusively premiering, Argos shout-narrates the terror, exhilaration and romance of surviving a very mild earthquake. “This is textbook CLASSIC ROCK BAND stuff,” according to the band.
Top of the Pops comes out on April 16th though The End Records.