Brutalism (studio album) by Idles

74.1

Oct19. We were all just a little slow with this band in Australia. I am sure if we did our 7Rock top 2017 albums list now, it would make it. This is my first play through, though I have heard some of the songs recently. The album lives up to its name with the opening three tracks: 'Heel/Heal', 'Well Done' & 'Mother'. Their lyrics are fantastic shout-outs to modern society (and the 'living in the past' attitude of a lot of the UK it seems). The deep bass and drum opening of 'Divide & Conquer' is heavy. The second half did not hold my attention as well, but it is my first full listen. An angry album that does not rely on on mindless ranting but points the finger directly at the problems. 3.5/5

From LebowskiRams 04/29/2020 20:50

Solid framework that helped create the classic that is Joy

What a solid debut for IDLES. I came to this record after listening to Joy and was well impressed by its roughness, a pure dose of hardcore / post hardcore punk that it actually sounds fresh and current. Perfect songs for a stunning punk performance which I luckily had the chance to witness.

Fantastic energy adding some much needed edge to an at times insipid industry. Love this band, put this on your must listen list.

Very good album.

Favorite tracks: Heel / Heal, Slow Savage

A-

this is wonderful...great post-punk postmodern piece of art! irony, humor and witty, political statements and social critique...great riffs..complete work.

From TheHolyKiwi 07/13/2017 11:04

Great seething and angry hardcore record.

From DeusExMackia 07/09/2017 16:56

For those angry about our world today, Brutalism is the record we've been waiting for.

Vivacious, loud and essential. Blends a phenomenal concoction of noise rock, punk and grunge and delivers it with all the sternness of a sledgehammer. The pace is fast and urgent, opening with three outstanding tracks, expanding on its sound in its middle section and dragging itself to a potent and heavy finish, particularly notable on 'Exeter' which acts as the emotional centre of the album.

It's the lyrics that really impress me most; they're on point and vital, combining political themes, social issues and other observations on life in general seamlessly. Their simplicity matches the hard-edged sound of the album, conveying their meaning superbly.

This feels like the album we need right now in the UK. It captures the mood many are feeling and expresses it with anger behind such opinions. Albums this relevant to the present don't come around often, making Brutalism that bit more special.

What you have here is a moody, angry, shouty record that delivers itself with all the ferocity of a cannonball through a brick wall, captures the mood of its time with brilliant accuracy and ties itself together with great structure and a new sound that promises to age brilliantly and develop into something that will define the late 2010s.

From Purplepash 03/27/2017 04:23

As the album title suggests this is some brutal heavy pounding music and hard hitting lyrics, but there is some humour and hope to be found in there too. Most importantly though it sounds great and keeps your attention throughout the whole record.