Release Date: Jun 9, 2008
Label: Island
Genres: Indie Rock
Number Of Tracks: 11
On Costello Music, the Fratellis sounded like a ragtag gang, churning out pint-hoisting anthems with anything goes charm and creativity.
Here We Stand
Reviewed by:
Bozjoarmstrong, on june 12, 2008 4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Sound: The Fratellis find themselves in quite a pickle. You can tell by the sound on the new album 'Here We Stand' they want to progress with their music, yet they don't want to betray their fans by eliminating those catchy hooks and pounding choruses that they are loved for. On top of this, they have to steer clear of 'Second Album Syndrome' and of course try to live up to the expectations that Costello Music left behind. For a band in this situation The Fratellis have done pretty damn well. The first things I noticed were the edgier feel to the music, the use of a piano and perhaps most importantly the non-power-chord-dominated riffs. John's guitar work really comes into it's own on songs such as 'My Friend John', 'Tell Me A Lie'and 'Lupe Brown' and his voice is clearly much more powerful here, evident in songs such as 'Look Out Sunshine! ' (which includes a powerfully upbeat key change). The Fratellis created what was seemingly a genre of their own on Costello Music and it looks as though they've done it again with Here We Stand. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: I have always been a big fan of The Fratellis' lyrics, telling stories of nights on the town and past girlfriends, but I also love the way these stories are told, at times John's voice can move a mile a minute, but he is also more than capable of blasting out anthemic ballads such as 'Look Out Sunshine!' and 'Milk And Money'. In ways the lyrics are very much the same as they were in Costello Music, this being the only way in which the Fratellis have not advanced. In all fairness they didn't need to. // 8
Impression: My Friend John-A fantastic choice to open the album. As soon as the drum intro kicks in the listener knows that they are in for somethig new and the riff that follows is simply irresistable. Probably my favourite from the album. A Heady Tale-Opens with a catchy piano hook which runs throughout the verses and has a superb chorus which every Fratelli fan will love. Shameless-Features a superb riff and John's guitar skills are displayed really well in this song. With an an anthemic chorus on top of this, this is another highlight of the album. Look Out Sunshine! -A real anthemic song which always puts me in a great mood, you simply have to smile when listening to it. Includes the ultimate upbeat key change for the last chorus. Stragglers Moon-Perhaps the most obvious effort of a pop hit on the album with it's repetetive hook of 'She can't help it', 'The girl can't help it' yet this is set on a background of a more grunge/blues styled guitar line. Grows on you after a few listens. Mistress Mabel-The first single from the album of course, and another one you will be very fond of after a few listens, features a classic Fratellis riff and a Chorus which is sure to get crowds screaming at the top of their lungs. Jesus Stole My Baby-The 'Doginabag' of this album, a catchy blues riff and of course some great lyrics. Babydoll-A beautiful ballad from John. May not hit you at full force the first time round, but this is a really sweet song and one of the best on the album. Tell Me A Lie-With a heavy riff, a speedalong verse and John displaying the full capabilities of his voice this is yet another album highlight. Acid Jazz Singer-Nothing really to stand out from the rest of the album but once again, there's some nice guitar work and a great chorus.
Lupe Brown-I really love the riff at the start of this song, but you don't hear much more of it through the song, but the solo at the end is terrific but what's inbetween is nothing special compared to the rest of the album. Milk And Money-John's voice is amazing here and there are some really nice piano riffs. This song more than any other really demonstrates just how far The Fratellis have come over the past two years. Despite what some say, The Fratellis are in a league of their own, different from all the Indie bands on the British music scene, they just have a joyous, upbeat quality that no other band can bring. Having said that however, those Fratellis "fans" who never saw past the 'Der Der Der's' of Chelsea Dagger will probably not like this album. Those who truly saw the Fratellis for what they were (I like to think I am one of these people) will love it. It doesn't quite match up to the genius of Costello Music, but let's face it, what does? // 9
Here We Stand
Reviewed by:
mumbles36, on june 19, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Ok so, I've been a Fratellis fan ever since they first came out, they we're the first indie band I really took notice. In this album you can tell that the 'Fratellis Sound' has really moved on from the happy bouncing tunes like 'Chelsea Dagger' and onto something with more drive in the music. All the songs seem to have a story behind them, from Jesus to the Circus. A lot of the songs on this album have a Beatles sound to them which really suits the album. To be honest, this album isn't better than 'Costello Music' but it is on the same level, it's equally as good. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics, yet again, are fantastic, easily on par with the first album. The happy lyrics are still there and the song are still happy tune. The lyrics compliment the music perfectly, for example:- "Tell Me a Lie" has real driving intro, but the verse melody is like "Creeping up the Backstairs". It's a fantastic combination. Jon's voice has really developed since the last album and it's got a lot stronger, this can be heard in songs like "Look out Sunshine" and "A Heady Tale." // 10
Impression: I think it compares to the first album in the fact that it isn't as bouncy as the first album but the sound is still there, it's just developed. The best songs on the album are 'Tell me a lie', 'My friend john' and a lovely acoustic number from Jon: 'Babydoll'. I love the songs, they're just different too all the other usual indie stuff. The only thing I don't like is that I miss the 'bouncieness' of the songs. If it got broke or anything like that, I would definitely buy it again or copy it from my friends. // 9
Here We Stand
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on june 13, 2008 1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: I loved the sound on the first album. It was bouncy, upbeat and most importantly fun. I was hoping (praying) that they hadnt lost the fun and managed to keep the manic energy that they captured on their first album and glad to see they haven't lost any of it. My first impression was that it was more rockier and less poppy than the first album but still managed to maitain it's own identity and not copy another bands sound like certain other bands (courteeners this means you). The guitar playing seems to have improved a hell of a lot particularly on lupe brown and my friend john while the drums and bass are all excellent with the piano in the background but not being overshadowed or overshadowing what else is going on. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: I always like lyrics about nights out as long as there fun and not too serious and once again the fratellis have struck gold with this. They are more varied, more thought provoking and also the singing is better as well. My only complaint about the singing is that at times (ok on my friend john) they sound a bit like arctic monkeys. While I like arctic monkeys the fratellis are more unique and I prefer the music on fratellis. Ok that might be me being stupidly picky and trying to find fault when there isnt any but still. His vice has improved a lot since the first album and while it might not be the best voice it goes so well with the music, just like antony keidis in the chilli peppers. Not the best voices but works well for the band. // 10
Impression: Compared to there previous album the instrument playing is a big step up and there is more variety in there songs. Lupe Brown sticks in my mind particularly for the outro solo that someone like brian may would be proud of. The whole album is excellent and they have got the song order bang on the money. There is less dadadada which while good did get a wee bit annoying after a while. The best songs are My Friend John, A heady Tale, Stragglers Moon and Lupe Brown with not a bad song in sight. There is nothing I hate about this album and am probably gonna go deaf cos of how loud I'm playing it which will be a shame cos it's a truly great album. Forget Killers, Razorlight, Arctic Monkeys and the new indie bands this band will soundtrack the next 10 years and I predict the will be as big as oasis in a couple more years. Also I don't know if anyone else has thought this but it does sound like something that would be played at a festival in the afternoon sun. If they played this at reading festival with nothing else I would be very happy. But as it is they have got great songs such as flathead and henrietta and I am fully expecting them to steal the show at reading festival this year. Forget RATM, Killers, Metalica this is the band you want to look out for. They will steal the show. The. Fratellis. Rock! // 10
got this album, its good, not quite as good as the last one, but i can only think of one second album that was (whats the story) jesus stole my baby is a fvunny, but sad situation. i think the guitarist thinks his jack white, his music definately has got white stripe elements and he looks like him, but its not a complete copy and is still the fratellis
The first album had some really catchy moments on it, was surprisingly good considering I'm not a big fan of the style.
Looking forward to hearing this one.
I am a huge fan of the Fratellis' work, and I am really excited about the new album. I was really surprised when I saw a review on here for more Fratellis music, I thought it would be at least another year til new material, can't wait to buy the new album.
The Fratelli's really do suck balls, i mean come on, isn't there enough rubbish "Indie" bands out there?
They all sounds alike too.
Just another turd band being accepted in the British music scene where there is far better bands who do not get the recognition they deserve!
The Fratelli's really do suck balls, i mean come on, isn't there enough rubbish "Indie" bands out there?
They all sounds alike too.
Just another turd band being accepted in the British music scene where there is far better bands who do not get the recognition they deserve!
The album still has to grow on me but so did the first album .. I am abolutely in love with babydoll though!
same here man its a klassic tune
logan_in_flight wrote:
The Fratelli's really do suck balls, i mean come on, isn't there enough rubbish "Indie" bands out there?
They all sounds alike too.
Just another turd band being accepted in the British music scene where there is far better bands who do not get the recognition they deserve!
frattells is great band and indie better than goth bull**** and emo turd and hardcore **** metal i feel like killing my self listening to one of them
The album still has to grow on me but so did the first album .. I am abolutely in love with babydoll though!
same here man its a klassic tune
logan_in_flight wrote:
The Fratelli's really do suck balls, i mean come on, isn't there enough rubbish "Indie" bands out there?
They all sounds alike too.
Just another turd band being accepted in the British music scene where there is far better bands who do not get the recognition they deserve!
frattells is great band and indie better than goth bull**** and emo turd and hardcore **** metal i feel like killing my self listening to one of them
Hmm ignorant much? Indie better than goth bullshit...etc? I'm sorry, but could you care to explain why one type of music is better than another? Indie isn't even a proper genre anyway. The music is just marketed as Independant when of course most of it is just commercialised pop rock. It's just another popular music fad that will die out in a couple of years.
People like you make me want to kill myself not the music i listen to...try to open your mind instead of generalising other forms of music like an idiot. I completely agree with logan_in_flight there are far too many indy(well not really) bands around atm, putting out boring music thats all been done before. The Fratelli's are one of them imo.
BTW: I haven't got a problem if you like their music, i just can't stand ignorant people.
The Fratelli's really do suck balls, i mean come on, isn't there enough rubbish "Indie" bands out there?
They all sounds alike too.
Just another turd band being accepted in the British music scene where there is far better bands who do not get the recognition they deserve!
I felt that way too but the Fratellis seem to do something a bit different and to me they stand out from the shitty bands that usually populate the mainstream here.
Maybe its the catchy rock choruses or the blues influences or something but I like them and I hate most of this UK indie-pop trash.
Nah seriously I don't really get what the difference is between what these guys, Kaiser Chiefs, Killers, Arctic Monkeys, and the rest of the plethora of bands with a superfluous "The" infront of their names. They really are interchangeable for the most part.
Someone turned me on to the Killers' first album before it got all popular, and I quite liked it, but quickly got bored. Suddenly all these bands who sound exactly alike are dominating the charts and I can't get away from this style that I'm sick of already, it's just made me despise it really.
So there we have it. Rubbish? Not really. Overplayed, overdone, and lacking in longevity? Most certainly.
Ive heard Mitress Mable, the first single, and it wasnt as good as i thought it would be. I definately like Flathead, Chelsea Dagger, and stuff off the first album better. Altho i havent heard all of this one yet. So maybe its one of those bad single-good album situations.
I ain't too sure they are doing something right mate.
It has got so drab between all those "indie" bands that the general public just accepts whatever comes out.
They are all pretty poor with average songs.
Razorlight, Killers, Arctic Monkeys, The Fratellis, you nam it, they all sound alike, and last but noy least, COLDPLAY!
I think that it's the little things (though some times they are very big) that separate one band from the other... To those who never heard either, Mozart is the same as Beethoven. To an indie guy, metal might sound like a lot of heavy riffs, and goth like nutjobs screaming or wtver. But metal fans will defer and so will goth fans. It just depends on your point of view and what's going on in your head.
I think that it's the little things (though some times they are very big) that separate one band from the other... To those who never heard either, Mozart is the same as Beethoven. To an indie guy, metal might sound like a lot of heavy riffs, and goth like nutjobs screaming or wtver. But metal fans will defer and so will goth fans. It just depends on your point of view and what's going on in your head.
Totally Agree Let's get back to the album shall we?
I believe the singer said "Don't listen to the lyrics, they mean nothing" so with no proper motive for this album (such as emotion or political meaning) then it shows the only motive for this album, is money, so screw that bullsh*t!
now now, why would jon say his lyrics have no meaning.
no band would effectively say their lyrics are pointless.
i think the only bullsh!t round heres the stuff thats coming out your mouth MerriQ my man
Well its good that you do you research...
Jons lyrics are one of the most important and integral parts of the Fratellis songs, he puts a lot of thought and effort into them.
The only time he has ever said the lyrics are meaningless are on mistress mabel, and somehow i suspect theres hidden meanings behind certain parts, its just not telling a story.
I think a lot of people on here and generally in this world need to listen to the music before they judge it.
And i dont know why, but the fratellis strike the right chord within me, i think its the bluesy influence they have. Also they are so much better live, Jon is actually a really talented blues guitar player i think he is just too shy to show it. He reminds me a lot of Jack White and i think with the right choices they could become a lot less poppy, and more bluesy, like the raconteurs. And for me, well, that would be grand.
amen to the rev rules
i agree endlessly
ive always liked the fratellis
the songs just make me...happy
even with the lack of imagination in that statement
you know its true
i love people who say all indie bands sound alike, because they have failed to notice that all metal bands sound like a cat being slowly tortured during a thunderstorm
i love people who say all indie bands sound alike, because they have failed to notice that all metal bands sound like a cat being slowly tortured during a thunderstorm
I never said all that indie bands sound alike...it's just most of them sound very similar. To me most of it sounds like a very watered down version of many rock and punk bands that have been before. It's simply nothing new musically, i just find it very boring.
"ALL metal music"...i'm sorry but i just laughed at what you wrote. Yes there is some bad metal as with all genres, but some of it is very good. You just have to open your mind and stop generalising. I'm sure i'd like some indie music, i'm not saying it's all bad. You clearly have never even tryed to listen to metal if that's what you feel about it.
At least some metal bands feel the need to experiment rather than just reviving older music. A majority if not all of popular indy bands just try to keep there music safe, in order to appeal to the popular music audience.
Fratelli's are one of the better indy bands i have to say, but i still don't like there music.
I love this album, and both of these reviews really highlight how great it is. Thanks!
cheers mate, nice to hear some good feedback!
secondly,
to all those guys who are saying The Fratellis are just the same as every other indie band, I understand. All you've heard is razorlight, the kooks, all that shit, which, you're right is just the same as any other indie band. But as I stated in my review...
The Fratellis are in a league of their own, different from all the Indie bands on the British music scene, they just have a joyous, upbeat quality that no other band can bring.
Just listen to the album (and Costello Music) and then come back and tell me how unindividual they are.
God damnit why does EVERY thread on this stupid site turn into a genre war. If you don't like the band or the genre being reviewed, don't listen to them and shut up. NOBODY GIVES A SHIT SO STOP CLUTTERING UP THE COMMENTS.
AndyH for president
if you dont like the music, dont slam it
if you wanna go and moan about "unindividuality" then moan about it on a thread, or a forum, or whatever, that actually wants you to.
this was designed to comment on THE BAND, not compare them to others
its a review, you review the album, not compare the band to others and then slam them cos theyre "too the same".
if you dont like them, then just steer clear.
i love people who say all indie bands sound alike, because they have failed to notice that all metal bands sound like a cat being slowly tortured during a thunderstorm
When did we once mention Metal Bands?
The Fratellis are shite full stop, yes he knows how to play guitar but do we need more shitty blues-pop-indie trash?
There are so many better British bands that get overlooked!
When did we once mention Metal Bands?
The Fratellis are shite full stop, yes he knows how to play guitar but do we need more shitty blues-pop-indie trash?
There are so many better British bands that get overlooked!
then go and look at them yourslef, or maybe tell us them, id sure wed all love a listen
and i vote yes for more indie "trash" just to annoy people who stick their nose in where its not needed with opinions that no-one wants to hear about
What I want to know is, why are we on about other genres when we should be on about THE FRATELLIS?!
If ya don't like it, don't listen.
The Fratellis have two brilliant albums full of upbeat and rocking tunes, and they are amazing live.
How will this world ever have brilliant musicians if everyone just wants to conform to a genre?
Break the mould and make some cracking tunes.
God damnit why does EVERY thread on this stupid site turn into a genre war. If you don't like the band or the genre being reviewed, don't listen to them and shut up. NOBODY GIVES A SHIT SO STOP CLUTTERING UP THE COMMENTS.
reelbigfish432 wrote:
[quote]mallen i am wrote:
AndyH for president
if you dont like the music, dont slam it
if you wanna go and moan about "unindividuality" then moan about it on a thread, or a forum, or whatever, that actually wants you to.
this was designed to comment on THE BAND, not compare them to others
its a review, you review the album, not compare the band to others and then slam them cos theyre "too the same".
if you dont like them, then just steer clear.
Possibly the only two decent comments on the review.
If you don't like it then don't listen to it, no one's forcing you to.
Indie bands may all sound the same to some people, but so do goth/pop/screamo/blues/jazz/any other sort of music(!) to other people.
God damnit why does EVERY thread on this stupid site turn into a genre war. If you don't like the band or the genre being reviewed, don't listen to them and shut up. NOBODY GIVES A SHIT SO STOP CLUTTERING UP THE COMMENTS.
reelbigfish432 wrote:
[quote]mallen i am wrote:
AndyH for president
if you dont like the music, dont slam it
if you wanna go and moan about "unindividuality" then moan about it on a thread, or a forum, or whatever, that actually wants you to.
this was designed to comment on THE BAND, not compare them to others
its a review, you review the album, not compare the band to others and then slam them cos theyre "too the same".
if you dont like them, then just steer clear.
Possibly the only two decent comments on the review.
AMEN TO THAT what is peoples obsession with genre if a song is good its good i dont care what pigeon hole people decide to stick it in
First and foremost, the nature of existence is repetitive and second of all, you cant be original because black sabbath has already played every riff that could ever exist either slower or faster or backwards or upside down.
Now, this is coming from a person who normally listens to death metal bands. It doesnt mater if they sound like everyone else. Be realistic. If someone enjoys writing music and is good at it, they try to get produced so they can make money. they dont care if i sounds like another band. its making them money. and frankly, if you have a wide variety of musical taste, you just like the first band of a genre you hear because its a break from what you usually listen to. in my case, the fratellis do an excellent job at quenching that musical thirst. so stop arguing and accept that every band cant be different.
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