Biffy Clyro: Opposites

Hairy Scottish rockers’ sixth is a stone-cold gatefold epic.

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Double albums offer plenty of pitfalls and this one has all the hallmarks of a grand rock’n’roll folly: the cover is a metaphorical mindfuck by Pink Floyd sleeve designers Hipgnosis (a wind-blown tree with glass bones dangling from its branches); both discs have their own separate titles (CD1 – The Sand At The Core Of our Bones, CD2 – The Land At The End Of Our Toes); and it was recorded over five months with the aid of California’s finest medicinal plant-life.

However, rather than indulgence, Opposites proves itself to be that rare commodity in current rock – a bona fide, big, stadium-pleasing epic. And yes, that does mean the band’s staccato guitar chops and Simon Neil’s obtuse lyrical angst now come with orchestral strings (and on the magnificent Spanish Radio, a mariachi band), but it’s not at the expense of taught arrangements, energy or melody.

Instant hits abound – Black Chandelier, Stingin’ Belle – but there are also songs that only reveal their hooks after a dozen or so plays. In short, a proper rock record you’ll want to live with rather than toss aside after a couple of plays, and a cover worthy of rolling a Camberwell Carrot on.

Johnny Dee

Johnny Dee is a freelance copywriter, creative and journalist. He's been published The Times, The Independent, Q  NME, Q, Smash Hits, The Word as well as in The Guardian, writing pieces for G2, online and The Guide, where he edits the weekly back page feature Infomania. He's got a long history as a music journalist and is also fond of sport (currently contributing to Runner's World and FourFourTwo).