The Fratellis - Costello Music
Release Date: 13 March 2007 (Cherry Tree)
Costello Music is a well-produced album full of intense guitar tracks, resonant bass lines, exceptional drumming, and commanding vocals. The songs are captivating and earned the band the Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act.
Henrietta (video) | Flathead (video) | Whistle For The Choir (video) | Chelsea Dagger (video) | Baby Fratelli (video)
Mikey Walsh got the gang back together. It wasn’t too tough. Since they saved the Goon Docks, they never left the area. Actually, Chunk asked Mikey to get everyone together. Chunk, who’d lost a lot of weight and was now unable of performing the “Truffle Shuffle,” knew some people wouldn’t show if he organized the meeting.
“Alright, Mikey, what was so important that you called this meeting?” asked Brand, his older brother.
“Yeah, Mikey. Spill it,” demanded Clark “Mouth” Devereaux.
“Actually Chunk has an announcement.” Since Chunk lost the weight, he has gone by his given name of Lawrence Cohen. But his old friends still call him Chunk.
“The Fratellis are out of jail,” announced the once chubby Goonie.
“Not that again,” said Richard “Data” Wang. “You keep saying that.”
Stef Steinbrenner stood up. “I’m out of here.”
“Yeah, me too,” added Mouth. Everyone started to get up.
“Guys, wait. We’ve got prove,” declared Mikey.
“Like when Chunk saw that black Jeep Cherokee and was certain Ma Fratelli was driving it?” Brand asked rhetorically.
Andy Carmichael-Walsh, now Brand’s wife, added, “Or when you lost your marble bag, Mikey, and Chunk swore the Fratellis must have stolen it looking for One-Eyed Willie’s treasure?”
“No.” Mikey took a hit from asthma inhaler. “This.” He held up the new album Costello Music by The Fratellis.
Mouth stated, “There’s no way that’s the same Fratellis.”
“Oh, really.” Chunk proudly and confidently said, “There were three Fratellis that chased us – Francis, Jake, and Ma. This band is a three-piece. Jake sang opera really well. Ma sang ‘Rock A-Bye Baby’ for Sloth. They were obviously a musical family.”
“You’re not just a Goonie. You’re a dolt,” said Brand.
“At least listen to the album.” Mikey was a voice of reason.
They put Costello Music in the CD player. From the first track, “Henrietta,” it was apparent this was a good album. Upbeat guitar riffs dominated each song. The guitar tones on this album were discrete and immense. Each instrument sounded distinct. The vocals were crisp but still apart of the mix. The album was very well produced.
“They say, ‘We’re just three lonely boys.’ The Fratellis that chased us definitely have a mannish woman in the group,” Mouth noticed.
“Henrietta” was a declaration to “Clean out the bank and bump off your daddy/ You can come live with us among the has-beens and the addicts/ These are crazy times down at Costello music.” The guitar parts changed from up strokes to fast scratches while the hihat drove the drum parts.
Mikey conceded, “Okay. So The Fratellis have nothing to do with the Goon Docks. But it’s still a real good album.”
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The drums led off the second track, “Flathead.” This song sounded like a cross between Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Strokes with Badly Drawn Boy singing. There were some unexpected breaks that come off successfully. First, there was a very stripped down section. The song ends with a Doors style keyboard outro.
On “Whistle For The Choir,” as with “Everybody Knows You Cried Last Night,” Jon Fratelli’s accent is noticeable.
“Where are these guys from?” Mouth asked. “I haven’t heard an accent like that around Astoria.”
Data had been online the whole time they were listening to the CD. “These guys are from Scotland. They’re names are Jon, Barry, and Mince Fratelli. They have absolutely nothing to do with the Goon Docks.”
The meeting was called to make sure the outlaws who chased this group of friends through underground tunnels were still in jail. Since this troupe of Fratellis was a different set of people, anyone could have left by now. But they all liked the music.
“For The Girl” came on. It starts with a commanding lead guitar riff and la-la vocals. Jon Fratelli quips, “She was into the Stones when/ I was into the Roses.”
“Um, all these songs are about girls,” discerned Stef.
“Then apparently these guys have never met you,” said Mouth with jest.
“Doginabag” broke the streak of songs about girls. It also flaunted swampy, bluesy guitar and bass lines. This track was highlighted by a choppy guitar solo and the lines “It’s easy to see without looking too far/ You have to be a saint to be sick as you are.”
“Vince The Lovable Stoner” alternates from country blues to chunky, heavier riffs with a jazzy breakdown section. It’s about a smoker who’s “so pretty/ Always looks shitty.” “And I haven’t seen a pupil in his eyes in sixteen days.”
Costello Music is a straightforward rock album, but full of diverse sounds. The guitar tones vary through the album. Some songs are post punk, some are murky blues, there’s a country blues tune, and more. The vocals are unique and well produced for each track. The drums and bass line are energetic and dense.
www.thefratellis.com
www.myspace.com/littlebabyfratelli
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