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I have had the pleasure of seeing Frightened Rabbit three times; once supporting and twice headlining. I urge you, if you can, to see them headlining. To curtail such a diverse and inspiring catalogue of songs to a mere seven or so is nothing short of a crime against music (okay, I'm aware that no such crime actually exists). One disappointment that I have to share in relation to this particular gig is their choice of songs. A supporting act has two main functions; warming up the crowd for the headlining act and widening their own fan base. They certainly performed the first function, but the latter? Forgive me if I'm wrong, but possibly not
I cannot for one minute question the passion that Frightened Rabbit exhibited at Mandela Hall on Wednesday night; but I would not be doing my job if I didn't objectively question their set list. Frightened Rabbit, on the whole, is the type of band that you gradually learn to love and once you do, you will be hooked. They capture you with 'Twist' and force you to stay with 'Floating on the Forth'; you have to be introduced to their immediately catchy songs in order to appreciate the ones that as listener of music, you can't help but relish.
Recent dates around Britain and Ireland coupled with a preceding North American tour has perhaps left Frightened Rabbit somewhat tired of playing their more celebrated tracks. Notwithstanding, they are tracks that people need to hear. Solely for this reason, it is debatable whether or not they have recruited new fans to the legion but for those fans in attendance who have already been caught in the Rabbits' snare, it was another stunning (if short) performance that is worthy of greater recognition for a band whose more than impressive catalogue should automatically bar them from supporting anyone on a UK tour.
I strongly urge you to invest in as much of this catalogue as you can but if you are limited to one album, treat yourself and make it 'Midnight Organ Fight'. Every listen creates a greater admiration. Songs you skip at the start will soon become your favourites. That in itself requires musical genius. In it, Scott Hutchison states, "It takes more than fucking someone to keep yourself warm." Whist I am not qualified to delve into the psychology of such a statement, I do feel obliged to inform the readers that while this may be true, it surely does not take much more than listening to Hutchison's heart wrenching vocals set amidst an inspiring indie rock backdrop to 'keep yourself warm.' Am I really comparing an indie rock quintet to sex? Possibly not, but it's as close as I'm going to get to it on an otherwise dreary Wednesday night in Belfast.
Voice your opinion in the eGigs forums...
article by: Chris Kelly
photos by: Andrew McLaughlin
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| published: 14/12/2009 10:01 |
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