Frightened Rabbit

Took the wifey out the other night to see the mighty Frightened Rabbit at The Mohawk, my favorite venue here in Austin. While I've plugged them multiple times before, really more should be said (like that they are playing a free show at the very same venue on 6/24).

Live, Frightened Rabbit are slightly noisier than I would have expected. Not annoyingly so, just less clean than the recordings. This adds massively to the "upbeat droney" feel they create. I know that's an odd phrase, but their live show woke me up to the fact that they are one of few bands that are really masters of a unique rhythm. The Wedding Present were masters of the guitar chug. Orange Juice were masters of the jangle. Bands like The Warlocks do a great slow drone. But, few have done so well as Frightened Rabbit at creating a repetitive droney feel while still having such blatantly pop melodies (I know everybody is thinking, "What about the Velvet Underground?!?!?"; well, their rock rarely rolled like this).

Add to the feel of the music a lyrical trip through the usual subjects of love/loss/heartbreak that has an "of the times" grip on complete transparency and detail. It's completely romantic in that non-Hallmark way ("I'll turn off the TV, it's killing us we never speak; turn off the lights so we can see; we will waltz across the carpet; 1-2-3-2-2-3."). Pick up "The Midnight Organ Fight". It comes highly highly recommended.

(Funny side note: The Texas Democrats had their convention this week in Austin. While my wife and I were walking up Red River to The Mohawk, we passed this Irish bar (I forget the name of it) that was having a Hillary rally (a day late people) that was rather desolate. Then, at Club Deville, we noticed there was a huge Obama party going on (it's an outdoor venue). Two creepy moments: (1) Electronic music was blaring from the sound system with "Yes We Can" speech excerpts dubbed over it again and again and again. Weird. (2) There were about 40 people line dancing. Yes, line dancing. Mind you, this is no Texas country bar. I saw British Sea Power at this place about two months ago. Apparently the Democrats aren't quite as young and hip as this wish they were.)

Frightened Rabbit - "Modern Leper".
Frightened Rabbit - "Old Old Fashioned".
Frightened Rabbit - "Good Arms vs Bad Arms".