MGF Reviews The Fratellis – Here We Stand

Reviews


The Fratellis – Here We Stand
Interscope Records (6/10/08)
Rock / Alternative

The Scottish trio of brothers (Jon, Barry and Mince) have found a winning formula here, with an album full of fun, catchy and upbeat sing-alongs. Just as the weather is warming up, The Fratellis have caught me in a moment of breezy giddiness; the pop-wise swagger and nods to Bowie, The Clash and T.Rex on Here We Stand will get you in the mood for a late night brawl, or making love in a gutter.

The Fratellis’ debut,Costello Music, which one of my friends had sent to me just as the band’s meteoric star started to rise, was decent but relatively forgettable amid other similar Brit-pop, and not really deserving of the fan-elected BRIT Award that they received for “Best British Breakthrough Act”. With this, their sophomore attempt, the content definitely will pull the listener in and hold their attention much better, as the trio play around with a few styles throughout the set.

Opener “My Friend John” is an absolute belter of a kick-off with a resounding combination of rattling drums and fiery guitars. The second track, “A Heady Tale”, takes country-style guitars and a jangly piano to cool things off a bit for a bluesy alt-rock sound. Another track in the same vein would be “Straggler’s Moon” which carries a down-and-dirty Southwestern feel to it.

“Mistress Mabel”, seems like a good selection for a leadoff single for the album, as it’s easily one of the strongest in the set. Slated to be the second single, “Look Out Sunshine!” is another strong one with super cheeky singer Jon Fratelli proclaiming: “I’m a cynical c*nt and much too lazy to change”. “Acid Jazz Singer” contains complex melodies, and would be a karaoke favorite—if, that is, I ever did karaoke.

Tracks that have a harder rocking sound include “Shameless” and “Tell Me a Lie”, and while both seem a little too thought-out, and their styles a bit cramped, they don’t necessarily lose the listener amid the chaos. Closing track “Milk and Money” is a beautiful piano ballad, though picking up the pace at about halfway through with a lovely guitar/harmony mix—a superb way to end this fun-filled disc.

Here We Stand may seem a little unbalanced at times, and as a whole, it lacks a cohesive structure, though the trio sticks to a pretty basic recipe here of generous helpings of blazing guitar riffs, danceable melodies, and solid drum work. Even though it isn’t really exploring any new territory; it makes no excuses for its heavy Brit-pop sound. The album is delightful with its nonsensical lyrics, bright melodies and poppy sound. In its truest essence, it’s just a fun late night, bar-hopping sing-along romp. Hell, I’m just thankful I can hang out with the ribald lads for the long haul.

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