Released 30th March on FatCat
There are two things that I love; a good takeaway, and a good live session. Seeing as I’m all out of menus, this recording of an acoustic performance of Frightened Rabbit's Midnight Organ Fight was most welcome,
The singer Scott Hutchison has a quite beautiful delivery, like a raspy Scottish Gary Lightbody, and the music is similarly Snow Patrol-ish behind him, but with a telling Scottish background that charms, and vastly impresses. The guitar work is invigorating, simple yet busy.
Opener The Modern Leper sets the tone nicely, a bittersweet affair with enchanting melody but emotive lyrics. I Feel Better threatens to turn into Somewhere Else by Razorlight, but luckily is much better, a truly uplifting track. Followed by the justly impressive Good Arms vs Bad Arms, a breathtaking ballad of jealousy and revenge, it’s one hell of an opening to an album with the only worry being that they've peaked too early.
Any doubts are washed away by Fast Blood, a song of a sexual nature but composed so wonderfully that there can be no snickering or guffaws. Lyrically, it’s sublime. Ross Clark turns up to play mandolin on Old Old Fashioned, which has a Johnny Cash feel to it, and is none the worse for it. The Twist is yet another striking ballad, and it’s pleasing that Frightened Rabbit can do the uptempo songs as good as the downtempo ones, but the slower ones are definitely their speciality. Head Rolls Off is another beauty, about wanting to “make tiny changes to the earth.” It’s a melancholy affair, but there is hope in its message, and it’s particularly memorable.
Over halfway now, and I’m completely sucked in. And then comes along Backwards Walk, a song so filled with emotion it’s impossible to not be moved. It's a wonfrous track. James Graham from fellow Scottish band The Twilight Sad lends his vocals to Keep Yourself Warm, and it’s a perfect fit, as both bands have a similar approach without being too alike. “It takes more than fucking someone to keep yourself warm,” is my new favourite lyric. Songs about failed relationships are ten a penny, but none are as arresting as Poke, which is again lyrically superior to almost anything you will hear.
In fact, this is a band that can seemingly tackle anything and make it brilliant. You hear songs about suicide that can sound whiny and pretentious, but Floating In The Forth has none of that, and is another success. They finish up with Who’d You Kill Now?, barely 30 seconds long but a nice touch and a fitting end to proceedings.
It’s easy to wax lyrical about bands you already know and like, but to hear a band once and instantly become hooked is usually a good indicator. Another one is upon hearing an album once through, then instantly wanting to play it again. I don’t know how I managed to miss them first time round, but I might just have a new favourite band.
Posted In Album Reviews, Mar 18 2009.
Words - Paul