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After reaching near iconic status in their native Ireland - recently
winning Best Band at the annual Irish music awards, The Meteors -
The Frames are now ready to conquer the US with the release
of Set List. If you have never heard of this Dublin quintet,
you're not alone as they have had sparse stateside circulation--until
now. Set List is the first Frames release under a domestic
distribution deal with Anti.
Set List [Live] was originally released on the indie label
Plateau in 2003 and is a perfect introduction to America as the band
has always made their name via their powerful stage shows. Led by
the charismatic Glenn Hansard, the group pulls from a diverse
mix of genres which spans the musical cosmos. Like The Waterboys,
The Frames have held on to their Celtic roots - but not as tightly.
With an eclectic blend of Irish Folk, West coast country and post-punk
power pop, the band easily transitions from a pining fiddle to a heavy
amplified guitar assault. Lyrically, Hansard is as compassionate as
early Neil Young, yet can be as youthfully irritated as the
Clash. Pulling popular favorites from their four studio recordings,
these songs are road tested, polished and relaxed; however, there
is room for improvisation. At the tail end of "Your Face"
Hansard and company comfortably slip into a short version of the Bob
Marley classic "Redemption Song" paying homage to the
Rasta Man. They also respectively recognize the late Johnny Cash
at the conclusion of "Lay Me Down" with few lines from "Ring
Of Fire". Hansard is a consummate story teller and tells a poignant
fable of a stray dog he and his mates befriended as children to lay
the foundation for the illuminating "What Happens When".
Shades of hardcore punk are represented as well. With amps easily
on ten, these Dubliners strike power chords among crashing cymbals
and scream their way through "Revelate".
Evangelistically powerful, Set List will neither disappoint
the enthusiastic fan nor the inquisitive newcomer. This live set will
surely set the groundwork in the states as the band prepares to release
their next studio album. If this disc is a precursor for what's next
The Frames will undoubtedly obtain the same status here as they enjoy
in Ireland.
-Tony Engelhart
Track Listing:
1. Revelate
2. Star Star
3. Lay Me Down
4. God Bless Mom
5. What Happens When The Heart Just Stops
6. Rent Day Blues
7. Pavment Tune
8. The Stars Are Underground
9. Santa Maria
10. Perfect Opening Line
11. Your Face
12. Fitzcarraldo
13. The Blood
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