THE FRATELLIS - COSTELLO MUSIC (ALBUM REVIEW)

I wish i could say that they are an essential band to me.They are noteworthy to me as most bands are, Where as if you can make an album where i like most of the songs on the album or even the whole album. Even if there aren't singles on the album if as a whole they tell a story or have a theme and that is the reason there are no singles.Not only is the album great, but the band to me is an essential one.
Here we have a case of a band i take note of a new album, but usually i only tend to enjoy three or four songs per album.

The fratellis sound like some pretty smart guys going by their music. They seem like the type to go out on weekends, Get Sloshed then turn into tasmanian devils wrecking all that dares step into their path, Not violently more like mischief makers trying to amuse themselves.

Listening to this album reminds you of going out with the boys on an adventure in the big city that starts out in a bar then in an apartment of someone you just meet, then to a house party, a stop off at a cafe or doorway whichever is closest to pee.Then running through an alley avoiding people looking for you, who want to fuck you up for what you did in their kitchen or shitting in their bathtub.Then go to breakfast. All of this includes plenty of drinking almost sex, stolen drugs and fighting. Just another night out. and you can't wait to do it again next time. That you will probably forget and have to be reminded of by witnesses or having it explained to you by people you don't remember assaulting you.

The energy on this album is infectous, This is the only album i can say i enjoyed most of the album, so to me they are like a one album wonder. Where as the albums after this seemed to continue in the same style though partially romantic and they sort of painted themselves into a corner as most bands do, Where when young it's easy to make a rocking album about the subjects and things you are going through which isn't much more about fun. Then as you get older the band realizes there are other subjects and issues to make music about so as the songs expand onto other areas it's hard to keep the music on track and if you decide to go back and do songs like you used to it sounds like pandering and a pale imitation. So no matter what they do they will be accused of selling out or in some way disappointing a fraction of your audience.

Especially when it seems to be your band making music not out of passion, but just to entertain almost like a hack filmmaker with no real ideas just doing the job that is required but no heart, no real connection.

So many of these bands are relegated to become little secrets that their existence, albums, songs are some kind of well kept secret, like a language spoken only by those in the know, Hipsters and music obsessives alike. These bands while appreciated never get the success they deserve,as they seem to have a certain voice that's on the fringe and reverence shared by it's fans. They seem to be fans of the band that make them seem special never sullied by fame, So much so these bands struggle to make sales and soon find it hard to release music that is appreciated, yet does not sell.Then once they are forced to be more commercial are accused of betrayal by selling out and like any romance are now hated by their once loyal and beloved fans.

Key Tracks:

HENRIETTA

FLATHEAD

CHELSEA DAGGER

DOGINABAG

EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU CRIED LAST NIGHT

BABY FRATELLI

VINCE THE LOVABLE STONER


These bands and artists who may never achieve worldwide domination when it comes to album sales or popularity, but i hope keep making albums because each new one brings happiness and makes life a little easier.It's like finding a $20 bill on the ground unexpected but lifts your spirits.
Bands like

THE SPINTO BAND, THE GO TEAM!!, STARS, THE CRIBS, THE COUP, I AM BARCELONA, CODY CHESNUTT, ALABAMA SHAKES, FITZ & THE TANTRUMS