Scottish Trio Take A More Laid Back and Subtle Approach In New Record
Almost 10 years ago now Glaswegian rock band The Fratellis released their debut album 'Costello Music', a classic record full to the brim of indie and garage rock anthems with catchy hooks and instantly memorable lyrics. This was followed in 2008 by 'Here We Stand' a more toned down, yet very similar sounding LP which got the group their second Top 5 album, after a hiatus which saw all members do very different sounding musical projects, the boys returned in 2013 with the more blues influenced 'We Need Medicine', this saw The Fratellis ditch the rock and roll anthems for guitar driven tracks with storytelling lyrics, all while still staying naturally fun to listen to.
And now, two years after the release of 'We Need Medicine', the boys are back with 'Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied', an album which shows off The Fratellis attempt at more guitar driven rock and roll rather than the catchy indie/pop that made them big. The album is full of stomp and clap along tracks, examples include opener 'Me And The Devil', probably the strongest track on the record, it best sums up the new sound of The Fratellis whilst still demonstrating their ability to write catchy lyrics, the other stomp along track is the more forgettable 'Getting Surreal' which is simply 4 minutes of stuff we've heard a million times before.
It's clear the boys are going for a more bluesy, american rock and roll sound with this album. Jon Fratelli projects his voice with just as much twang from his guitar to give off real 50s/60s vibes in most tracks, and whilst it does sound impressive, most of the tracks themselves are rather forgettable, they all follow sound the same generic route. One track that does offer something different is 'Dogtown' a more bass driven track with a grand brass lead chorus, but unfortunately this track is as much of a let down as it is experimental, just like the album itself it builds towards something but always falls flat in the end.
'Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied' is a very laid back, instrumentally charming album which shows The Fratellis playing in their true comfort zone, but even though they might have found their new sound, there is still a way to go for the Scottish trio.
5/10
BLUES ROCK / ALTERNATIVE ROCK
FAV TRACKS: - Me And The Devil -
LEAST FAV TRACKS: - Dogtown - Getting Surreal -
It's clear the boys are going for a more bluesy, american rock and roll sound with this album. Jon Fratelli projects his voice with just as much twang from his guitar to give off real 50s/60s vibes in most tracks, and whilst it does sound impressive, most of the tracks themselves are rather forgettable, they all follow sound the same generic route. One track that does offer something different is 'Dogtown' a more bass driven track with a grand brass lead chorus, but unfortunately this track is as much of a let down as it is experimental, just like the album itself it builds towards something but always falls flat in the end.
'Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied' is a very laid back, instrumentally charming album which shows The Fratellis playing in their true comfort zone, but even though they might have found their new sound, there is still a way to go for the Scottish trio.
5/10
BLUES ROCK / ALTERNATIVE ROCK
FAV TRACKS: - Me And The Devil -
LEAST FAV TRACKS: - Dogtown - Getting Surreal -
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