The Fratellis "Here We Stand"

Hey kids, we just had a great live chat about new music and old music, the usefulness of Flo Rida and the lameness of Dave Matthews. You can check out the transcript HERE. One of the new faves mentioned was the Fratellis, with whom several of us have seriously fall in love. Anyway, I had to write up a quickie review of the Scots' new album. So here's that. And I implore you to listen to their new song Look Out Sunshine!, which is pure (albeit a wee bit profane) bliss.

The Fratellis
Album: Here We Stand (Interscope)
In stores: Now
Why we care: These shaggy Scottish pub stars process the Beatles much like Brit peers Oasis used to do: with a wink, a pint and great, grimy hooks. This follows their 2006 debut, the riotous Costello Music, which wasn’t as slick...but wasn’t as good, either.
Why we like it: With its besotted abundance of melody and pugilistic punch, the album is like a well-meaning bear hug from the guy on the barstool next to you. One song could vie for best single of the year: Look Out Sunshine! shimmers along like a '60s confection, and its chorus ("And tell my friends I’ll be around / Getting nowhere, sleeping somewhere") is the very stuff of pop magic.
Reminds us of: The Arctic Monkeys with nicer girlfriends
Download this: Look Out Sunshine! (LISTEN) and A Heady Tale (LISTEN)
Grade: B+

Comments

[Dana]

When did this come out? Am I going to be able to locate it in a good music store or should I skip the middleman and sell a little more of my soul to iTunes?

Damn recession. A soul doesn't go nearly as far as it used to.

[jane]

Hear that sound... it's me, downloading the rest of this album from iTunes onto the 'Pod.

I gave up on retaining my soul and my dignity with iTunes a long time ago.

[John Hays]

Hmm...I must be missing something. That song just didn't do anything for me. Perhaps I need to be in a club or something and hear it in the background.

[Sean Daly]

"Here I Stand" came out stateside a few weeks ago, I believe. It's an Interscope release, so you can grab it at a small indie or a big ugly box store.

Or you could just pick and choose on iTunes. "Look Out Sunshine!" will improve your life tenfold. If it doesn't, I'll refund your 99 cents.

Thanks again for coming out today. As you can tell, your a fan fave already.

[jane]

If "Look Out Sunshine!" doesn't hook you, then "Lupe Brown" might:

http://www.imeem.com/thefratellis/music/jZ00Bl9B/the_fratellis_lupe_brown/

Cannot. Stop. Listening.

This might be my album for the summer.

[John Hays]

Jane - thanks for the try, but still not diggin it. I don't know, just needs to be kicked up a notch or something. I know they were compared to Oasis, but I think Oasis's tunes are a bit catchier.

[Dana]

Wow, this album is supremely different from Costello Music.

John, if you're looking for catchy, check out Chelsea Dagger:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clhOnZRrmXc

Or, even better, Flathead:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKQK8rYZNHY

If you don't like those, then it's official - they're not for you. :) But I figure it's like sushi- gotta try it at least 3 times before you give up. (I hate sushi)

Side note: I hadn't watched the videos before (not a big vid fan), but I watched the video for Flathead, and if you gave the lead singer a haircut and braces, he looks like mix CD failure boy. I'm trying not to let it affect my love for the band.

[erin]

Hmmm...that's not a bad song, but the new album doesn't seem to be as much fun as Costello Music. (I love Baby Fratelli and Whistle for the Choir especially.) But it's something to tide me over until Franz Ferdinand finally get around to releasing their next album.

[Marissa]

Hey Sean, ya know what's so funny about me listening to you on your new music recommendations? Everytime I tell someone about the new music or pop in a CD by one of the artists you've raved about I sound like a music guru.

My nephew is totally diggin' the "Vampire Weekend" cd I handed over to him. My niece's hubby is rockin' to James Hunter now. And, my pally in Venice Cali is sic over Santogold.

Thanks for making me appear a little cooler.

This Fratelli schtick is making a home right next to Weezer on the ol' iPod.

I'd say you're my hero, but that'd appear a little too over the top and we wouldn't want that, would we?

[John Hays]

Alright Dana, ya got me! Chelsea Dagger's incredibly catchy, and Flathead's not bad either! (The video certainly doesn't hurt...rowrr!)

[Bassnote]

I have to say that I like this release more than Costello Music. Not as light-hearted, but the songs pull you in. I love Beatles' influence.

[Dana]

They all come around eventually to my way of thinking, John. :)

[Starfish]

ok SD, Ms. Riss, Jane, and Sparky...I need a REALLY good playlist for my trip to NC next week. I'll be driving at night, so not something that puts me to sleep preferably, i don think the bf would like it if I ran us off the road. ha. Your influences would be greatly appreciated!

[Sean Daly]

Hold on, Starfish, I'm gonna make your request a new blog item. Cause that's how I roll.

[jane]

Yay! I love stuff like this (although it invariably costs me money...)

I'll save my questions, etc. for the new item.

[Marissa]

The song that helped get my peepers back open when I was driving from Illinois to Georgia and my idiot (ex) husband got us lost -- i was following him -- was , "Da' Dip" by Freak Nasty.

[Starfish]

you are truly awesome SD..ha. I feel so special, I have a blog in my honor now...yay!

[sparky]

Ris, R u sure that Mr. Nasty wasn't talking about the Ex?

[Marissa]

ha! That's a goodun Sparky.
He was a dip fo' sho'
But he couldn't get a groove on if Don Cornelius came up and spanked him.

[sparky]

Don Cornelius spanking a man, are you sure that's how Don rolls?

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