Is it the Scottish climate that produces so many driving, melodic examples of anthemic rock, perhaps as spiritual offset? As examples, consider Snow Patrol (though they have been rendered bland by success) and Idlewild. Now we have Frightened Rabbit, whose third album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, is another emotional, feet-rousing example of chugging guitars, rousing choruses and impassioned singing.
The Winter of Mixed Drinks is an album to grow into, for the apparent directness revealed on first listen unfolds layers of complexity with repeated listening. Singer Scott Hutchison’s appealing, lilting voice rises, soars and moans in perfect synch with the lyrics, which alternate existential angst and hope. Highlights include the radio-friendly ‘Swim Until You Can’t See Land’, with its catch cry ‘are you a man or a bag of sand’; the stark ‘The Loneliness and the Scream’ with its hand clap beat; and ‘Not Miserable,’ Hutchison entreating over building keys and guitars that he’s ‘not miserable now’ in a wonderful Scottish brogue.
You’ll catch yourself humming snatches of Frightened Rabbit in the shower, it’s that good. 3 stars.