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The Fratellis - Here We Stand
- The Fratellis’ debut album Costello Music is one tough act to follow. Not only does it feature the irresistible iTunes commercial pick “Flathead” and 12 other unbelievably catchy, energetic tracks, but it drew the fledgling band comparisons to The Libertines, Arctic Monkeys and Oasis. I guess the pressure must have been too much for the group, because Here We Stand is a significantly toned down version of Costello Music that fails to dazzle like its predecessor.
You can catch glimpses of the first album on “My Friend John,” “Shameless” and “Mistress Mabel” but the same energy just isn’t there. The Fratellis certainly try to resurrect it, and with any means they can. Different genres, pounding pianos – it’s all used, but it fails to compensate for the group’s newly mellowed attitude.
It doesn’t help that the songs, in addition to being more boring than those on Costello Music, are much longer. Only four tracks are under four minutes (three of those being less than ten seconds away from disqualification), and the way they tend to drag, it feels like an eternity before the 11 or 12 (depending on which version you have) songs are up. What happened to the guys who brought us those shorter, infectious songs which demanded immediate replay? They’re pretty hard to find on this sophomore effort, which, despite a few bright spots, is one album you shouldn’t feel guilty about skipping.
Reviewer: Kristin Hunt
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Reviewer's Rating: 5
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0
Added: 27-Dec-2008
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