The Fratellis are one of a new wave of Glaswegian indie bands hot on the heels of Franz Ferdinand. I was attracted to them after hearing their ultra catchy single Chelsea Dagger. The trio (who consist of singewr jon, bassist Barry and the wonderfully named Mince on drums) released their debut album "Costello Music" was released recently so when I saw it for a reasonable price I thought I would take a chance on it. I had not heard much of their stuff at all so this was a stab in the dark. Would their music be inspired by Elvis Costello (Chelsea dagger must be a nod to his song I do'n't want to go to Chelsea). Would I regret buying the album or would I fall instantly in love with their sound? All will be revealed.
The CD cover attracted me. I liked it due to the kitsch, slightly risqué girls on it reminiscent of a Top of the pops album
from the 70s, or perhaps girls from old saucy postcards.
The album gets off to a promising start with Henrietta, a song about a married groupie. I really like it. It is a lively exuberant song with touches of ska and reminds me in a strange way of a song from Bugsy Malone . The upbeat vibe continues with Flathead's slight more punk/new wave feel with a killer barapa barapa hook which really reminds me of Madness's Wings of a Dove. Cunry style girls and city boys is in a similar vein but has an excellent calypso style trumpet. We are given a reprieve from the frantic pace with Whistle in the Choir, which is a much slower song which starts off gently but turns into quite a cheery, cheesy love song. I can imagine this as a real sing along song.
The Fratellis seem to specialise in catchy songs with non words (a quality I like in bands as demonstrated by early Travis singles). Chelsea dagger is an out and out raucous, glam song with an infectious melody of "dumdums" which once heard will not leave you for the next few days. It is the perfect pop song and rates highly in my top ten songs of the year. For a girl follows this time with lallala
Doginabag slows down the breakneck pace and gives us a breather. It's a simple rock and roll song with a slightly distorted guitar riff. Vince the Loveable Stoner is another favourite of mine. It's a character-based song about a wasted Casanova. It is a different sound again It is slightly country sounding with perhaps a Hawaiian style guitar but it also reminds me in parts of The Zutons "Got to keep the Feeling " in parts. I love the chorus " Rock a Honey, a rock a honey woohho, sleeps all day and thinks of you". A rock a honey a rockahoneyy weehee. Everybody Knows You Cried Last Night is a song about a girl who regrets being promiscuous and gets no sympathy. The guitar riff reminds me slightly of the Clash's I fought the Law and the law won! With baby Fratelli they are back to lively ska and a guitar riff that sounds like a reggae version of Nirvana's Teen Spirit. The next song "Got ma Nuts from a Hippy" wins the prize for best song title!! The album ends with Oh Black and Blue Eyes a slower song which sounds a little bit like Badly drawn Boy or perhaps even a hint of Oasis's Do You Want to Be A Spaceman.
I like the Fritalli's but at the moment Jon's vocal is not particularly not distinctive neither is their over all sound. Judging from this album they are the type of band I would sew at a festival and enjoy. The songs work together nicely and I did have a good boogie whilst listening to the album as it is very catchy but I would say there were very few stand out tracks which are going to be classics. (Chelsea dagger is the exception). It's the sort of album you could shove on at a party or dance to at an indie club and enjoy it. It's full of catchy tunes, which remind me of other things, which I can not quite put my finger on. I like the album and it will grow on me but only can give it four stars as I feel it is a good debut from yet another happy, chirpy indie band.
I bought the album for a very reasonable £7.97 from Woolworths. HMV is selling it at a similar price.
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I agree fully with teh comments about the vocals and the lack of catchy tunes, I listened to it driving to work today and whilst it was fine for background noise, no song particularly grabbed me
emilne82 29.09.2006 10:46
Suprised at the number of people that have not heard of them. They are actually quit good
Advantages: Catchy without being pop-ish, no bad songs, for a wide range of music tastes Disadvantages: If not in the mood for upbeat music, you really shouldn't listen to it
Advantages: Its pure energetic songs that just want to make you dance and sing Disadvantages: Dont listen to the album to much because you dont want to ruin it.
Sep 18th, 2006
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