Frightened Rabbit - The Winter Of Mixed Drinks

Hump day is back, and I'm tired. I exhausted myself digging through all that new music yesterday. Hopefully you guys dove head first into some of that good stuff as well. This review has been long overdue, as follower Shaqwanda requested I listen to this almost when the blog began. I reviewed a different FR album - not sure if that was in error or what - but it's an 'odd' review day and this certainly fits that mold. This album released in 2010 and made it as high as #84 on the US charts. Doesn't look like it reached any sort of gold status - but that's not overly surprising. For a Scottish indie rock band to sell hundreds of thousands of copies in the US, they'd have to have a couple really big singles. I really enjoyed their last album, so I'm going into this one with an open mind and high hopes. I've been jamming a TON to Mumford & Sons lately and they come out with that sort of track. Mumford is pretty folk rockish with really nice Irish beats and instruments. FR is probably lumped into that same folk rock category, but this album doesn't have the sheer high energy of M&S. This particular album is a little more laid back, which certainly isn't a bad thing. I tried to really sit back and listen to the lyrics on this one, which I commonly do with folk bands. And it feels like this album is a statement that they'll overcome past life events. That no matter what has happened, the future is bright. This album is telling a story, and I always appreciate when bands go that route. I think this is a fun album in terms of listenability and simply good music. I can't imagine you'd be angry if you gave this a go today.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Things
2. Swim Until You Can't See Land
3. Loneliness and the Scream, The
4. Wrestle, The
5. Skip the Youth
6. Nothing Like You
7. Man/Bag of Sand
8. Footshooter
9. Not Miserable
10. Living in Colour
11. Yes, I Would

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. The Wrestle
2. The Loneliness And The Scream
3. Living In Colour

FINAL RATING:
3.5 out of 5 stars

Frightened Rabbit - Midnight Organ Fight

Okay, so I lied. I lied on multiple accounts. First off, I'm much later posting than I thought I'd be. Sorry about that. Computer didn't come back until later. Second, I said I'd come through with Black Label Society and their new album today. Well, Amazon is freaking out on their samples for some reason - so they'll have to wait. Brutal! Anyway. My esteemed follower Shaquanda recommended this band a pretty long time ago now. The album she requested is not available either, but this one is. So I figured why not? Seems like an interesting band - might as well give them a go. They're a Scottish indie rock band that has been making tuneage since 2006 or so. I have to say at first two listens, this is pretty f'n awesome. Exactly the kind of indie music I love. It's kind of like a Counting Crows meets REM type vibe. The arrangements are pretty neat on various tracks, the lyrics are solid and the overall feel makes me want to listen to more and more. I'm not really sure what else I can say except, check this out. If you're like me and never heard of them, it's a worth while listen. If you're Shaquanda or anyone else that's heard them, what do you think of the other albums? Are they just as worth while? I really dig this and will probably get to the other ones fairly soon. It's a great way to mellow out your Tuesday.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Modern Leper, The
2. I Feel Better
3. Good Arms vs. Bad Arms
4. Fast Blood
5. Old Old Fashioned
6. Twist, The
7. Bright Pink Bookmark
8. Head Rolls Off
9. My Backwards Walk
10. Keep Yourself Warm
11. Extrasupervery
12. Poke
13. Floating in the Forth
14. Who'd You Kill Now?

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Modern Leper
2. Fast Blood
3. Head Rolls Off

FINAL RATING:
3.75 out of 5 stars