This album has been submitted by a user and is not included in any edition of the book.
Puzzle is the fourth studio album by Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro, released 4 June 2007 – the album was later released in America in August. It is the band's first album since leaving Beggars Banquet (though the sleeve artwork still features the Beggars Banquet logo). The album reached No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart to widespread critical acclaim, receiving several perfect ratings and was voted the best album of 2007 by Kerrang! and Rock Sound. The album also reached No. 17 in Ireland, and No. 39 in the overall world charts. The album is certified Platinum in the UK, having sold over 300,000 copies. As of July 2016, it has sold 342,042 copies in the UK. This album is notable for having somewhat more straightforward song structures and a more melodic overall sound than their previous work, while still retaining some more unusual elements. After the release of Infinity Land the band had stated that they felt they had pushed their original sound to its limit, and wanted to try a more straightforward approach to songwriting. Lyrically, the album deals mainly with the death of Simon Neil's mother Eleanor, who had died a few years prior to the recording of Puzzle. The most noticeable difference between Puzzle and the band's previous work is the more streamlined and accessible nature of the songs, with fewer of the abrupt structure and time signature changes which characterised their early material. Influences such as Sunny Day Real Estate and Red House Painters can be heard heavily on this album.
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Living is a problem because everything dies, Saturday superhouse, Who’s got a match?, A whole child ago, Semi-mental, Love has a diameter, 9/15ths
Mon the Biff! Loving that this showed up. This isn't as proggy and weird as their early stuff, not as mainstream as their latter content...while it isn't the peak of their output it is a great glimpse. I've loved this group for a long time and even have MMORPG characters long named for them. This is a fun entry to see.
Nice find. Cheers!
This is some really good early 2000s rock with some interesting twists. Like the choir and the orchestral instrumentation supporting the tracks “Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies” and “9/15ths”. I really dig that… and the “bonus hidden track” interludes that make little sense today as such but were nice transitions. Very catchy and I’m sure this would grow on me even more with time. Real-time follow-up - since I wrote this I had the chance to listen again and liked it even more...
My wife’s favourite band, so Iv always had a bit of a strange relationship with Biffy Clyro, they are far too overplayed in my house, but probably under appreciated in the real world. I do think Puzzle is the last good album before they went too mainstream with their sound. My favourite album is infinite land, where my wife is still obsessed with blackened sky. This is obviously more accessible than both of these, but still edgy enough to be better than only revolutions. But if you were to ask me what album someone who’s never listened to biffy should start with it would probably be this one.
That was absolutely some rock music. A pleasant and unchallenging, easy listening record. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Folding Stars Date listened: 07/01/25
Don't know why, bit I was expecting something heavier
Woah what a surprise! I really try my best not to judge a book by its cover, but after nearly 1,300 albums, it is somewhat inevitable. I will be honest and say that the name "Biffy Clyro" and the description of "Scottish alternative rock band" kind of set me up to hate this. And then I put it on and enjoyed the entire duration! More pop punk than alternative rock. This feels perhaps a little late to the party in 2007, but I really enjoy their chorus hooks and the sort of emo lyrics. Would happily discover more of their music.
This is a great mix of Foo Fighters / Punk Pop / breakdowns / and emotions that will tug at your stupid little Millenial heart. Just wish I could trim a little off the fat of this one and it’d be a solid five for me. Still will probably come back
Listenable 4
I liked it, but I can't explain why...
Never heard of this band before, seems like pretty run of the mill millennial rock with some very domesticated thrash pedigree. Didn't dislike it, didn't really stick with me.
They play very well, they have good music, they are balanced but their songs did not motivate me, I don't know, something is missing. Maybe a couple of hits that define the album more.
I've heard these guys before. It's average rock. I played it without getting sick of it. Not much else to say about it really. 3/5.
This album was fine, well-played but fairly unmemorable. Feels a bit dated for what was going on musically in 2007. Fave Songs: Machines, As Dust Dances, Folding Stars, Saturday Superhouse, Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies
A really fine album with great performances. Too bad everything is just not that special and none of the songs lifts it to a higher level.
Rock alternativo, metal alternativo. Ni fu ni fa.
Don some heavy eyeliner, refer to the things as "Random", and play this album. It's 2007 and you're feeling a little emo.
This was an unexpectedly good album for what it is. Aside from that long bass drum intro this whole album was solid. The 00s alternative style is consistent throughout with a minor dash of despair. The instrumentals are strong and the singer toes the line of alternative and emo rock sound. Lyrically it’s a good collection of songs. Overall pretty good. 6.8/10
Cliffy Biro.
Why the American accent?
I could tell right away I wasn't going to like this at all. I made it through 4 songs but that was enough for me, just not my thing. 2 stars.
An LP focused entirely on some sort of anger and bitterness, but at what? There’s never a strong enough narrative focus to narrow down the gist of the band’s intent, and coupled with elementary school songwriting/wildly varying instrumentation choices, the album feels unfocused and poorly constructed. Some creative bits of guitar here and there that I liked, but there wasn’t much else I took away from this one
Lyrically dud, pretentious, annoying