The Fratellis: Costello Music
The Fratellis take a melody, throw it around and then bounce it in your face
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Friday, 08, Sep 2006 03:42
Island, September 11th.
In a nutshell.
Rock n' Roll, Glamorous, Rough, Joyous
What's it all about?
Costello Music is the debut effort from The Fratellis and follows on from the equally addictive Henrietta and Chelsea Dagger singles. A brave 13 tracks, The Fratellis ooze endearing confidence and match the attitude with a fantastic collection of rock n' roll tunes. Everything about this debut is classy, from the artwork to the haircuts. Henrietta kicks off proceedings with a faultless rhythm and a snarling vocal. Other highlights include Flathead, which blends sharp lyrics with a fairground like jingle and Doginabag which sounds a little like Shakermaker. This record is a fine debut LP and the Fratellis haven't overcommitted with a lengthy batch of material, every track has a story to tell and sounds as fresh as the last.
Who's it by
The Fratellis are Barry, Mince and Jon Fratelli. A Glasgow three-piece assembled through a mixture of luck and lazing around drinking a pint. The name comes from the baddie gang that fought the Goonies, yet this seems to be the only thing that's clear about their story. Jon is a true storyteller and from the makeup of his songs you can understand why The Fratellis history is full of contradictory tales and romantic stories that end with no real answer. The Fratellis have done what every good band does, have a good listen to the accepted legends of rock n' roll and then thieve the best bits. This would explain the Stones-based tunes, the Bowie-like voice and the Dylan attitude to interviews and doubters. The Fratellis are just about to get huge, so limber up and prepare to dance.
As an example.
"You can come live with us among the/ Has beens and the addicts/ These are crazy times down at Costello music."
Anyone who purchased the pretty Henrietta vinyl that graces the front cover artwork of Costello Music will know how good Henrietta is and it's a fitting opener.
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
There's no doubting that the Fratellis will achieve success with this record and they deserve every bit of it for their no nonsense attitude to forming a band, there's been no hype, but they've delivered. Costello Music will probably make a few shortlists.
What the others say
"They have done it without any hype at all" - NME
"Indecently Arousing" - The Independent
So is it any good?
Costello Music is an uplifting and joyous set of well put together songs, blending Jon's complex tales with some simple, but effective melodies. It makes a nice change, like The Kooks and the Monkeys before them, for a band to produce a record that's all about the melody. Alongside the tunes come interesting and profound lyrics that stick in your head and Jon Fratelli can certainly put a good line together. "And though I may be a beggar/And you may be the queen/ though I may be on downer I'm still ready to dream," comes from Whistle For The Choir, a slow whimsical acoustic driven ballad.
However what follows next is Chelsea Dagger, uncompromising, dirty and raucous backed with a crowd leaping riff. For The Girl seems to be born into disco bliss before breaking its way out into a snarling scream that typifies the surprises in store on this record. Everybody Knows You Cried Last Night is another intriguing addition, with a Guns Of Brixton-like back rhythm that suits the topic of discussion. Stand out tracks have to be Henrietta, Flathead, Whistle For the Choir and Doginabag. The nearest the band comes to feeling tired is on Baby Fratellis, but you can forgive them when you're still whistling from the previous track.
This record seems to have everything you want it to have, it's got the style and the punch backed up by Jon's killer voice. Rock n' roll is alive and well in Costello Music and yet again a band has emerged to blow the socks of the last. Fratellis take a melody, throw it around and then bounce it in your face. You'll love it.
8/10
Karl Pike
"I totally agree!! 'Mon the Fratellis...they are truly truly amazing." - Julie Seidel