Product Description

'Blackened Sky' is the debut album from Glasgow band Biffy Clyro. A myriad of musical genres and influences are featured on the album, going from simple quiet melodic harmonies, to intense, energetic, sinister guitars. Mixing post-rock, emo and tinges of folk. Includes the singles '27', '57' and 'Justboy'.

Track Listing

1. Joy.Discovery.Invention
2. 27
3. Justboy
4. Kill The Old, Torture Their Young
5. The Go-Slow
6. Christopher’s River
7. Convex, Concave
8. 57
9. Hero Management
10. Solution Devices
11. Stress On The Sky
12. Scary Mary

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4527 in Music
• Released on: 2002-03-11
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Like most debut albums, Biffy Clyro's Blackened Sky functions as a sort of table of contents of its creators' record collections. In the case of this promising young Scottish trio, led by singer-songwriter Simon Neil, it's a safe bet that those collections would be assembled largely of American alternative rock of the late 1980s and early 90s, with particular emphasis on Nirvana, Fugazi and the Pixies. These influences can--and often do--result in supremely dreary records, less grunge than sludge, but Biffy Clyro are a good deal cleverer than that. They have an admirable knack for building songs on unorthodox time signatures without ever sounding fussy, and are able to shift from delicately drifting melodies to full throttle rock & roll without an audible grinding of gears--"The Go-Slow" and the winningly titled "Kill The Old, Torture Their Young" are particularly noteworthy in this respect. --Andrew Mueller

Customer Reviews

Blackened Sky
I only came across Biffy Clyro after Puzzle was released and I loved that album so much I decided to explore the preceding albums. Blackened Sky is the debut, released on a minor label back in 2002. Out of the three albums prior to Puzzle, this is the album that has most in common with Biffy's current effort. But that doesn't mean it shares the same sound entirely. It has some very tender songs on here that are certainly worth listening and Biffy should be credited for not sticking to the same tried and tested formula - the variety between songs and albums is pretty huge. I love the tender songs on here, the best being "Joy.Discovery.Invention" and "Christopher's River", which are both truly excellent tracks (the latter being especially beautiful). I also quite like "27" and "Justboy" which are both very good.

However, the early Biffy liked to unleash a barrage of screams onto the listener which I hate. A lot of old Biffy fans seem to like this sound and dislike Puzzle, whereas I fall into the opposite camp. So my advice to other customers who are buying into the Biffy back catalogue on the strength of Puzzle alone, don't expect the same sound or anything anywhere near as accessible as Puzzle. Blackened Sky is easily the best of the rest after Puzzle and is far more accessible than The Vertigo of Bliss and Infinity Land but I can't hide the fact that I simply don't like the fits of screaming on this and the other two albums before Puzzle. To be fair, it's not so noticable on this album but you will certainly notice it on the other two. And just so you know I come from a rock background and have listened to plenty of heavy music in the past - Metallica, Megadeth, Seether, NIN, Disturbed - so I know heavy but I draw the line at mindless screaming and messy guitars. It's a shame because Biffy are talented and the promise was most certainly there in some of the early work. This comment may not sit well with old Biffy fans but I hope the band stick to sound of Puzzle because it works so much better for them.

And I bet because of this, a lot of these people will unfairly click the unhelpful button. Well this isn't a review for old Biffy fans - I'm just trying to present some advice to newcomers of Biffy like myself. Blackened Sky is the best Biffy album to try after Puzzle but exercise caution with the other two until you know what to expect.

Outstanding!!!!
I had never heard of Biffy Clyro until the brought out Puzzle. I enjoyed their sound and decided to research their latter albums and also because I'm a Scot I like to hear our home grown talent. I now own every album and I was blown away by the range of sounds and songs on their albums. I can never tire of listening to them (although I am driving my Fiance and friends crazy) Blackened sky has to be my fav. I am going to c them live in edinburgh in November and I cain't wait. C'mon the Biffy!!!!

Will Change the Music You Listen Too
This debut album from Biffy can only be described as epic from start to finish you are taken on a journey into the fascinating music minds of Si, Ben and Jimbo. A classic album that just keeps getting better with listening, you will never get bored listening to this album because there are too many good different songs that just keep your interest level going.