SHREDnews

By: Matthew Williamson

On an ever expanding Scottish music scene Frightened Rabbit have gone largely unnoticed.  The band have evolved from lead vocalist and guitarist Scott Hutchinson’s solo project in 2003.  Since then they’ve released two albums.  Sing the Greys released in May 2006 on home grown label Hits The Fan.  Since then follow-up The Midnight Organ Fight (a euphemism for sex), was met with critical acclaim, receiving no less that 80% in any review.  Now the band has released the much anticipated The Winter of Mixed Drinks on Brighton label Fat Cat which could catapult them into the eye of the mainstream.

As the first chords of ‘Things’ are struck you can tell that overall Frightened Rabbit (or ‘Frabbit’ for their loyal following) haven’t changed.  A simple, yet driving, chord sequence supplies Scott with a near perfect opening to sing over.  Although the album is less “obviously personal” according to Hutchinson, it’s hard to believe that he’s singing about anything other than first person experiences.

Next up is the first single from the album, ‘Swim Until You Can’t See Land’.  The song slowly builds up textures, something that they brought in extra guitarist Gordon Skene, for, as well as his help with backing vocals and keyboards.  It’s a key feature of Frabbit’s musicians, diversity.  For instance Billy Kennedy’s played lead guitar and bass, whilst still managing to tinkle the ivories.  It’s something that works well for the band, making the song into a formidable beast, which still has some kind of inner beauty.

‘The Loneliness’ is reminiscent Snow Patrol, with simple riffs with Hutchinson’s vocals painted over the top.  As he drops out the guitars come to the fore for a period of instrumental.  Soon however they drop out, leaving only the bands vocals to provide some kind of background for Scott’s.  It’s something that works perfectly.

The ambience at the start of ‘The Wrestle’ is soothing.  Again the band slowly builds up the layers, a process that restarts every time the verse comes back around.  Until finally the chorus provides the climax.  Scott’s lyrics are flawless, “This is the test I left plans for//To grip flesh and pull muscle//In a vice grip of the struggle//I can’t give in to”. The band takes a break for the middle 8 as the keyboards take over.  As the pause gives way the band fly into the chorus for the last time, with more energy than before.

It’s amazing how even just random noise can be made to sound beautiful by the quintet, as at the start of ‘Skip The Youth’, a song about how the primary years of your life isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.  The band transform into something not far from a gospel choir for their vocals as Hutchinson does what he does best.  The 6-minute marathon sounds more like a medley of songs rather than just the single track but it’s not a criticism, far from it, the deviation makes the song sound out from anything else on the album.

The album takes another step up tempo for ‘Nothing Like You’.  “She was not the cure for cancer//and all my questions still ask for answers//there is nothing like someone new//and this girl she was nothing like you.” It’s almost a back-handed love song.  Although not his best lyrically it’s something that everybody can relate to, one fan exclaiming that:

“This is my theme song for this year. Amazing. Perfect”

‘Man/Bag of Sand’ is a filler that just uses the chorus from ‘Swim Until You Can’t See Land’, which leads into the “anthem of the occasional or instinctive ‘nightime beasts’” named ‘Foot Shooter’.  Again it’s hard to believe that it’s not from personal experience, but maybe that’s the genius of Scott’s vocals.  He can make almost anything sound passionate and heart filled; especially with the backing of brother Grant (drums/backing vocals), Billy Kennedy, Andy Monaghan (guitar/keyboards/backing vocals) and Gordon Skene.

‘Not Miserable’ starts with just bass and a guitar riff, as do so many; and, as so many, the layers come and go.  It’s a song about their view of the previous two releases.  “So the hymns that I sung//Prayers for the fucked, from a bitter, forked tongue//Sing of history now.” From there the album takes a step away from the miserable to ‘Living in Colour’.  Grant Hutchinson’s drums drive the song through as his brother provides vocals that sound not dissimilar to Glasvegas.  Older fans will also notice the reference to ‘Poke’ (a song from their last album) “She poked the iris, then pierced a hole.”

The concluding song on the album ‘Yes, I Would’ takes things back to a softer sound.  Scott’s voice is at its best as it soars above everything else.  His might not be the most important though.  The background chorus maintain a certain beauty.  It’s by no means the best song on the album, but then again the album has no real best song, it’s something that everybody will choose for themselves.

Some people may take a couple of listens to get into it, but I implore you to give it at least that.  It may not have bettered the masterpiece that is The Midnight Organ Fight but it’s far from a disappointment.  Frightened Rabbit have come far since their early days as a solo project, but now they’re ready to hit the mainstream and, with a support slot at Snow Patrol’s massive Bellahouston Park gig, it might not be far away.

Listen To: Swim Until You Can’t See Land, The Loneliness, Nothing Like You, Skip The Youth

For Fans of: Snow Patrol, Stereophonics

Rating: 9/10