The Fratellis are one of the most unique bands I've heard in some time. I'd like to open my review with a few words about their album "Costello Music". Original. Odd. Confusing. What was that? Quirky. T Rex. Infectious. Fun. Freakin' awesome. These are the things that went through my mind while listening to this one of a kind album. From initial confusion to overwhelming pleasure, The Fratellis have made an album that bores into your head like an earwhig and feasts on your will to fight the urge to bop.
"Costello Music" is one of those albums that grows on you. I know, when I read that in a review I think "that means this must suck". Far to the contrary. The more I listen to the Fratellis, the more I want to hear. If you can imagine the Beatles jamming with T Rex and Jimmy Buffett with a little Sex Pistols thrown in for good measure you're close to the sound the Fratellis have unleashed upon the world. The best description I can give is psycho-brit-power pop-lounge-madness.
Opening with the title track, "Costello Music" sounds like the soundtrack to one heck of a great party. The following track only emphasizes this with it's sing a long "bop bop bop ba la la luu luu" chorus that is: a) infectious as the plague and b) unforgettable. The Fratellis grab their audience and refuse to let go. This band may just be the pitbull of the jangly power pop genre.
"Whistle For the Choir" is an acoustic guitar laden lounge number that sounds like what you might get if Jimmy Buffett invited Johnny Rotten to perform guest vocals at a Coral Reefers gig. It sticks to your brain like peanut butter. I've found myself humming this track at work. This track is like heroin. Even if it doesn't fit with anything else in your music collection, you'll find you can't deny the power of this track. This song made me it's b*tch from the first listen.
The whole album continues this way. Tracks like "Chelsea Dagger" and "Vince the Lovable Stoner" continue this balancing act between punk joy and laid back lounge madness. "Costello Music" shows this Glasgow trio moving seamlessly from ska, to punk, to lounge to party pop. This album is just plain fun.
Key Tracks: "Whistle For the Choir", "Flathead"
Reviewed by Jim McDonald |
