FRIGHTENED RABBIT - The Winter Of Mixed Drinks CD
This guy/band/project is all about songs – lyrics that really say something, tell stories, observations of life in all its glories, told in writing that is really superbly put together, the sort of songs that have you inexorably hooked from one to the next. But, it's so much more than that – the arrangements of the songs are many and varied, solid and consistent, invariably dynamic for uplifting effect and, while built around the traditional guitars, bass, drums, keys structure, are aided and abetted by all manner of “extras” to provide one towering sea of sound to many of the tracks that you'll hear. On an album of highlights, there are extra special gems - “Swim Until You Can't See Land” has a hook that just doesn't let go, the vocal in whole delivered by a Scottish accent that's got real emotion pouring out of its lips, the guitar so initially delicate with tambourine and bass rattling and rumbling behind, as the song builds with added vocal harmonies and the lyrics are just exquisite. Gradually things build as the arrangement strengthens and you're into a chorus-cum-hook that's on you without you realising it, so that, by half way through, you're not only caught in its spell, you're singing along with it at the top of your voice. Stunning!! “The Loneliness And The Scream” is an absolute belter of a Scottish indie anthem as the song rolls forward with passion as the guitar riffing monotone cycles and percussive backdrops provide a similar rhythm, the vocal becoming ever more imploring, passionate and taut. As bass enters, more guitar layers are added and the tension rises until the guitars take over and cycle riffs-like-bagpipes over insistent rhythms from percussive “handclaps” before it all dies down to a lonely guitar only for the huge-sounding lead vocals and towering harmonies come back in set to the percussives, the drums roar in and the whole thing threatens to implode on a sea of vocals – just staggering in its breadth, vision and execution. Yet that only serves as a precursor to “The Wrestle” which lifts off like a rocket to become a mighty anthem of immense proportions, powered by a massively expansive arrangement as the vocals live up to every emotive minute. “Skip The Youth” is even bigger sounding – quite how this guy builds such a whirlwind of instrumental layering is a positive wonder, but this song lifts beyond the skies on a revolving wind of cyclical lyricism, mesmerising hooks and a mighty sound that engulfs you in impassioned warmth. BY contrast, “Nothing Like You” is the indie answer to a “driving rocker” as this stormer of a track just glows white heat with a New Order styled bass and drums rhythm only faster, the emotive angst of the vocal hammering out as the guitars ring, scythe, roar and riff, the whole lot topped with added harmonies, more layers and the song itself one mighty hook of a chorus as verses flow like the headiest wine you could imagine, only explosive with it. “Man/Bag Of Sand” is a sonic collage that briefly reprises the hook from “Swim” wrapped in a hypnotic sea of instruments and samples. Every song on here is magnificent – these are just some of the highlights I've picked out – and it's a decidedly top flight Scottish indie album that can't fail to move you and have you absolutely riveted to every second of its incredible writing, singing, playing, arranging and producing construction and execution.