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Hear it now, folks; the new Britpop revolution. Amidst all the bands
who've taken their cue from Paul Weller and worked their way
into producing music steeped in disco badness, there is one new band
that has reverse engineered it all back to the rock and roll fineness
of The Jam… Ladies and gentlemen, I give you: The Fratellis.
You've heard the track "Flathead", in all of its glorious
throbbing stomp, on the iPod commercial, now it's time to step it
up and take a listen to the entire album. "Henrietta" kicks
things off with a high-stepping backbeat and the catchiest lyrical
hook of the year. This track rolls things back to the salad days of
the new wave Britpop revolution, filled with a distinct attitude and
a supremely danceable vibe. Vapors, anyone? After "Flathead"
breaks out of its stomp, it falls into a serene musical bridge that
enhances, rather than detracts from, the energetic ballyhoo of this
great song. Things slow down a bit on "Whistle For The Choir",
an acoustic ballad number that has a McCartney vibe to its
melodies and rhythms. "Chelsea Dagger" rolls back into a
pounding rhythm and attitude-heavy lyric before "The Gutterati?"
kicks the punk rock into high gear with screaming guitars and the
entire band shouting out the rebellious chorus. All of this before
a strangely not-out-of-place harmonica solo kicks in.
Costello Music is front to back a great album, filled with
songs that are danceable and fun, rebellious and highly melodic, angry
and joyfully blissful. The guitar work is excellent, filled with varied
tones and clever riffs, while the drumming is energetically tribal
and carries the songs along on swinging, speedy trips. The vocals
run the gamut from softly beautiful to full-on-in-your-face anthemic
rock and roll. Each song has its own character that fits perfectly
in with the others to create a wonderful musical puzzle well worth
unraveling.
So if you long for the days when the Brits rocked without the horrible
disco influence… the days before bands like Franz Ferdinand
made Britpop a word that sent shivers down many a music listeners
spine… then join with me as we take back the word that is truly
ours. Britpop - real Britpop - lives again in The Fratellis' music,
and in the hearts and minds of the people. Pure greatness.
I'm certain Pete Townsend is as happy about it as I am.
-Embo Blake
Track Listing:
1. Henrietta
2. Flathead
3. Whistle For The Choir
4. Chelsea Dagger
5. The Gutterati?
6. For The Girl
7. Doginabag
8. Creepin Up The Backstairs
9. Vince The Lovable Stoner
10. Everybody Knows You Cried Last Night
11. Baby Fratelli
12. Got Ma Nuts From A Hippy
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