Biffy Clyro / Albums Ranked

Biffy Clyro are a band I’ve always felt I should get into. Despite growing up with friends who adore them and being aware of their biggest hits, the urge to dive into their music never came to me. That is, until a couple months ago. After they were named as replacements for QOTSA at last year’s Reading Festival, that seemed to be the right time to start listening, and what a good decision that was.

Now they’re one of my favourite bands. What a dickhead I was to never listen to them before. What better way to cleanse myself of this shame by ranking their studio albums, including last year’s The Myth Of The Happily Ever After.

Opposites (2013)

Generally, double albums tend to be quite bloated and in need of a trim. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Opposites finds itself last on the list. While I appreciate the ambition and some of what’s on offer, the material seemed to get quite lost in itself. That said, there was more personality found on the second half (The Land at the End of Our Toes) that I enjoyed much more than the first.

Favourite Tracks: ‘Black Chandelier’, ‘Stingin’ Belle’

The Myth Of The Happily Ever After (2021)

In the first hundred iterations of this list, I actually had The Myth Of The Happily Ever After quite high up, however found myself returning more to the records that were initially below it. Almost by default I compared this record to 2020’s A Celebration Of Endings and whilst the darker and more consistent tone won me over on first listen, there was a lack of variation (I mean, variation in terms of BIFFY CLYRO variation) to keep things fresh. Although ‘Slurpy Slurpy Sleep Sleep’ is a great song title.

Favourite Tracks: ‘Denier’, ‘Witch’s Cup’

The Vertigo Of Bliss (2003)

Honestly? I hate myself for placing The Vertigo Of Bliss so low. It started off so promising, with ‘Bodies in Flight’ kicking things off. Delivering punchy riffs and wailing vocals to the forefront to create what is just an insane beginning. It had me excited for more, but I found all of that energy and ferocity seemed to fall towards the end.

Favourite Tracks: ‘Bodies In Flight’, ‘Toys Toys Toys Choke, Toys Toys Toys’

Blackened Sky (2002)

Back to where it all began. It was cool to hear the debut after listening to so many of the later albums first. You can hear the foundations of their sound being defined on this record, as it’s full of heavy hitting noise and soaring harmonics that arguably sound grimier than ever thanks to the more rough-around-the-edges style.

Favourite Tracks: ‘Joy.Discovery.Invention’, ‘Kill The Old, Torture Their Young’

A Celebration Of Endings (2020)

Heading into the latest albums from the trio, it was quite apparent to me that Biffy Clyro are one of the most consistent bands around. They stick to their roots and while they like to play around every now and then, the foundations are always the same. Which is good because they’re really good foundations.

Initially, I didn’t enjoy A Celebration Of Endings too much. It looked to venture that little too further from the norm and offer songs that focused more on angelic vocals and melodic moments, with a stronger light put on orchestral instrumentals. But I found myself returning to the record more and more, eventually changing my opinion on it. Nowadays, I can’t resist the poppy appeal of ‘Tiny Indoor Fireworks’ and the booming start of ‘North Of No South’, and do feel that the blend between the old and new works really well throughout the record. Also, how can you not enjoy ‘Cop Syrup’?

Favourite Tracks: ‘Tiny Indoor Fireworks’, ‘End Of’, ‘Cop Syrup’

Only Revolutions (2010)

Just missing out on the top 3 comes Only Revolutions, the band’s biggest album that pushed them firmly into the mainstream. While it is their most accessible record, it still retains a lot of the personality that keeps it within the Biffy Clyro world. Well, perhaps the outskirts of it.

While it aims for the skies with its ambitious numbers (‘Mountains’, ‘The Captain’, ‘Many Of Horror’) there are also a few bangers scattered that keep up the tempo and make it a record that keeps its edge. ‘That Golden Rule’ still blows me away with how hard it hits, and ‘Born on a Horse’ has a groove to it I cannot deny.

Favourite Tracks: ‘That Golden Rule’, ‘Born on a Horse’, ‘Many Of Horror’

Infinity Land (2004)

Up next is Infinity Land, which is a riot from start to finish. This is the record where the band truly let loose with their old sound, before settling into the sound of Puzzle. Elements of math rock, punk and rock are thrown together to create something that does not ease up. It even goes a little bit dancey for the intro of ‘Glitter and Trauma’. It’s thrilling and exciting throughout. Seriously, the song titles are backed up with equally chaotic instrumentals.

Favourite Tracks: ‘Glitter and Trauma’, ‘Wave Upon Wave Upon Wave’, ‘There’s No Such Thing As a Jaggy Snake’

Puzzle (2007)

Falling just short of the top spot is Puzzle. This is the first record of Biffy’s that I heard and enjoyed all the way through, and soon found myself returning to it over and over again. Its sound is steeped in darkness and the lyrics stand out as surrounding death and loss, and a general feeling of mortality. Creating a very consistent and hardhitting record in many ways.

Filled out once again with tons of riffs and moments that bash your face in, Puzzle is a fantastic record. But as much as it succeeds in being a heavy record, it shines on its quieter moments too. ‘Machines’ is a wonderful, intimate song that highlights Biffy’s ability to make a song that’s just as powerful as their loudest.

Favourite Tracks: ‘Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies’, ‘Who’s Got A Match?’, ‘Get Fucked Stud’, ‘Machines’

Ellipsis (2016)

Finally, taking the top spot is Ellipsis. A record I didn’t expect to love so much, but it has this alluring quality to it that makes certain moments fall out of your mind constantly. Seriously, the number of times I caught myself singing the chorus to ‘Friends and Enemies’ is mad. It’s full of great songs with a solid mix of loud and quiet, overall creating a very well-rounded listen.

The mammoth beginning of ‘Wolves Of Winter’ never fails to get the blood pumping, whereas the crawling riffage of ‘Animal Style’ just sounds so cool. ‘Re-arrange’ is a wonderful song that adds depth to the album, while ‘Howl’ gets you feeling like a big bad boy. It’s awesome, and (for me) warrants being number one on this list.

Favourite Tracks: ‘Wolves Of Winter’, ‘Animal Style’, ‘Re-arrange’, ‘On a Bang’, ‘Howl’

So those are my thoughts. Do you agree with the placement of these albums? Have I made any sins? What you cannot take away from me, however, is that I’ve had an absolutely lovely day. ‘Mon The Biff!