Puzzle is the fourth studio album by Scottish rock bandBiffy 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. The album reached #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 #17 in Ireland, and #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 Landthe 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.
Track listing
On the US & Japanese version the first track was split into "Intro" & "Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies" On the iTunes and Spotify version, the tracks 2/15ths and 4/15ths are included at the beginning of “A Whole Child Ago” and “Love Has A Diameter” respectively, instead of at the end of the previous tracks.
Unreleased tracks
"Help Me Become Captain"
was later renamed "Help Me Be Captain" and released as a B-side to "The Captain". The song remained the same as the original version played at live shows in 2005.
"Captain, Sir..."
was originally a counterpart to "Help Me Become Captain". It was developed into "The Captain" and was included on their 5th album "Only Revolutions" and released as the third single from the album.
"I'm Probably In Your Pocket"
was originally set to be on "Only Revolutions" but it was cut from the album. The track was included on Biffy Clyro's sixth studio album Opposites under the title "Pocket".
"The Ghouls of Bymbombidor"
Sections from this song were used in their 2006 cover of a Weezer song "Buddy Holly" and in the Puzzle album track 9/15ths.
Editions
A Standard CD
A Limited Edition CD/DVD which includes a bonus track, "Drop It", as well as a bonus DVD, which includes a 40-minute documentary, The Making of Puzzle, as well as the videos for "Semi-Mental", "Saturday Superhouse" and "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies".
