Biffy ClyroÔÇÖs B-side compilation album, ÔÇÿSimilaritiesÔÇÖ, is not a waste of time. ItÔÇÖs not a cheap money spinner that tides keen fans over until the next album cycle. It’s a demonstration of the hugely prolific and profound songwriter, frontman Simon Neil, and an exceedingly professional band doing exactly what they do best.

The very nature of a compilation dictates that ÔÇÿSimilaritiesÔÇÖ is not as coherent as its counterpart, ÔÇÿOppositesÔÇÖ. The collection of tracks all share a more obscure character and itÔÇÖs clear why they couldnÔÇÖt all have appeared on BiffyÔÇÖs seminal, number one album. However, the fragmented structure and arcane nature does not hinder the quality of the songs, which surpass all expectation.

Sombre opening track ÔÇÿThe RainÔÇÖ was released as the B-side for ÔÇÿOppositesÔÇÖÔÇÖ lead single ÔÇÿBlack ChandelierÔÇÖ and is probably the least inspiring song on the compilation. If it does anything, it makes the respective chorus and riff on subsequent tracks ÔÇÿThundermonsterÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿMilkyÔÇÖ appear all the more colossal. Positioned alongside tracks such as ÔÇÿEuphoriaÔÇÖ with its infectious chant and the pop-sentiments of ÔÇÿFingers and ToesÔÇÖ, Biffy illustrate that they are not willing to scrimp on production. The songs donÔÇÖt feel any less important or less loved than those on ÔÇÿOppositesÔÇÖ. If anything they feel like heavily nurtured versions of vulnerable songs. Simon NeilÔÇÖs lyrics reach a new level of eccentricity on this compilation; they feel quite fragmented, a collection of abstract images that incrementally build a portrait of his own consciousness.

Providing further insight into the mechanics of the behemoth that is Biffy Clyro, ÔÇÿSimilaritiesÔÇÖ is a collection of massive songs which are wholly idiosyncratic in the best possible way.