Pedestrian Verse
The fourth full-length by Frightened Rabbit is a powerhouse of shambolic style. Boasting a bright, well-balanced, and textured sound, it staggers from quiet moments to catchy indie rock to brief vignettes bookended by full-bodied songs with big choruses. Despite the self-deprecating title, the lyrics are keen and expressive and full of confessions cloaked in imagery, a specialty of singer Scott Hutchinson. Dark moods and foul deeds abound, yet somehow never drag the songs down into a mire of maudlin expression. Instead, we get catharsis, escape, and honest assessments of emotional upheaval delivered in a honeyed Scottish accent. The band’s rich sound includes layers of horns, strings, piano, and organ balanced by booming drums and brittle guitar. Throughout the album, Hutchison freely points out his own faults, both in his character and his art—but listeners may have a hard time finding the latter among these brilliant gems.
The Scottish band's fourth album avoids the escapist tendencies of their previous records to confront social and emotional turmoil with startling bite. And production from Leo Abrahams, a longtime Brian Eno collaborator, breaks through the sluggishness that had marked their recent releases.
The Scottish band's fourth album avoids the escapist tendencies of their previous records to confront social and emotional turmoil with startling bite. And production from Leo Abrahams, a longtime Brian Eno collaborator, breaks through the sluggishness that had marked their recent releases.
For Frightened Rabbit’s first album since 2010’s excellent The Winter Of Mixed Drinks, the band wanted to break out of some pre-established patterns: It moved to major label Atlantic Records after three albums with British indie FatCat; the album was written as a group, instead of singer-guitarist Scott Hutchison…
For Frightened Rabbit’s first album since 2010’s excellent The Winter Of Mixed Drinks, the band wanted to break out of some pre-established patterns: It moved to major label Atlantic Records after three albums with British indie FatCat; the album was written as a group, instead of singer-guitarist Scott Hutchison…
On which Frightened Rabbit make a triumphant return to the magnificent songwriting present on their lauded second album.
On which Frightened Rabbit make a triumphant return to the magnificent songwriting present on their lauded second album.
On its fourth studio album and first major label release, Scottish quintet Frightened Rabbit offers 12 tracks that are much…
On its fourth studio album and first major label release, Scottish quintet Frightened Rabbit offers 12 tracks that are much…
Though divisive may be a strong word, 2010’s The Winter of Mixed Drinks certainly eked out differing opinions on the direction Frightened Rabbit were heading after the cult success of The Midnight Organ Fight. Following the high watermark of that album was always going to be something of a double-edged sword, weighing up the expectations of their devoted followers against the increasingly obvious mainstream appeal of singer Scott Hutchison’s emotionally-charged, anthemic songwriting.
Though divisive may be a strong word, 2010’s The Winter of Mixed Drinks certainly eked out differing opinions on the direction Frightened Rabbit were heading after the cult success of The Midnight Organ Fight. Following the high watermark of that album was always going to be something of a double-edged sword, weighing up the expectations of their devoted followers against the increasingly obvious mainstream appeal of singer Scott Hutchison’s emotionally-charged, anthemic songwriting.
Frightened Rabbit's major label full-length debut is a triumphant album. It expertly expands on their previous work with a big, muscular series of anthems that investigate faith, masculinity, and Scottish identity while sharpening their increasingly ident
Frightened Rabbit's major label full-length debut is a triumphant album. It expertly expands on their previous work with a big, muscular series of anthems that investigate faith, masculinity, and Scottish identity while sharpening their increasingly ident
While more hopeful, though, Frightened Rabbit’s Pedestrian Verse is still riddled with doubt.
While more hopeful, though, Frightened Rabbit’s Pedestrian Verse is still riddled with doubt.
This collection of stirring, instant anthems will get fists pumping the air, writes <strong>Dave Simpson</strong>
This collection of stirring, instant anthems will get fists pumping the air, writes <strong>Dave Simpson</strong>
In theory, it’s close to impossible to achieve some semblance of mainstream success without being decried as a sellout by at least a proportion of your fanbase. Yet I don’t think there was a Scottish indie music fan who greeted this week's news that Frightened Rabbit had scored a Top 10 chart place for their major-label debut without a mixture of pride and delight.
In theory, it’s close to impossible to achieve some semblance of mainstream success without being decried as a sellout by at least a proportion of your fanbase. Yet I don’t think there was a Scottish indie music fan who greeted this week's news that Frightened Rabbit had scored a Top 10 chart place for their major-label debut without a mixture of pride and delight.