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All Music Guide:
Playing clever but purposefully naïve pop in the manner of the Vaselines, the Twilight Sad, and the Clean, Frightened Rabbit sound a good bit bolder than their moniker would suggest, though it suits their lively but nervous musical personality. Frightened Rabbit was founded in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2004, when guitarist Scott Hutchison and his brother Grant, a percussionist who -- like his sibling -- prefers to keep his last name a secret, began recording demos of songs they had written. Encouraged by friends and family, the brothers added a second guitarist, their friend Billy, and the trio began making the rounds of Glasgow's pubs and music venues. Slowly but surely gaining a reputation for their work, Frightened Rabbit began work on their first album, initially planning to record at the home studio where they'd done their original demos but eventually opting to record at Glasgow's Diving Bell Studio with Marcus Mackay instead.
Frightened Rabbit released Sing the Greys through their own label, Hits the Fan Records, in mid-2006. Reviews were enthusiastic, and Universal picked up the disc for distribution in the U.K. and the U.S. The group's reputation enjoyed a considerable boost in America after they played a well-received showcase at the 2007 South by Southwest Music Conference in Austin, TX, and the U.S. release of Sings only increased Frightened Rabbit's popularity. The band's sophomore release, Midnight Organ Flight, arrived in April 2008. Keyboard player Andy Monaghan was added to the line-up shortly before the release of the album. The live album Quietly Now!, also known as Liver! Lung! FR!, appeared in 2009; meanwhile the band was working on their third studio album The Winter of Mixed Drinks, which introduced fifth band member Gordon Skene. A lush, uplifting set of songs, The Winter of Mixed Drinks arrived early in 2010.
Wikipedia:
Frightened Rabbit are a Scottish indie rock band from Selkirk, formed in 2003. The lineup consists of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and lyricist Scott Hutchison, guitarist and bassist Billy Kennedy, guitarist Andy Monaghan, drummer Grant Hutchison and guitarist and keyboardist Gordon Skene. Since 2004 the band has been based in Glasgow.
History
Beginnings
In 2003, singer/guitarist Scott Hutchison used the name Frightened Rabbit, which came from a name his mother gave him in his youth due to his chronic shyness, as a stage moniker for his solo shows. The project became a full-fledged band with the addition of his brother Grant Hutchison on drums in 2004, and guitarist Billy Kennedy in 2006. During early shows, the band would give out their email address for those interested in receiving a free demo. After a time during which few demos were sent out, Scott said that he would send out biscuits with the music, which led to a rise in requests for the demo. This led to a lasting impression with the recipients.
I'd send them to the U.S. and stuff, and they'd turn up as bags of crumbs, but I think it's still something that people will remember. I don't know, I suppose it was just one of those little things that people will remember, rather than making it disposable and forgettable.
Sing the Greys
The band released their debut album Sing the Greys in May 2006 on local label, Hits The Fan. The band were offered a deal from Fiction Records but ultimately decided not to sign with the label. In January 2007, The Self-Starter Foundation brought the band to the east coast of the United States for a short tour. The band returned to the United States in March to play SXSW. Brighton indie label Fat Cat Records released a remixed/remastered version of the album in the USA in October 2007, distributed by Caroline Distribution. The band then embarked on a full American tour. The album was released in the UK in November 2007.
The Midnight Organ Fight
Earlier in 2007, the band had recorded a new album, The Midnight Organ Fight at producer Peter Katis's Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, Connecticut. This album was released April 15, 2008.
After recording The Midnight Organ Fight, the current quartet line-up was completed with the addition of guitarist/keyboardist Andy Monaghan of Piano Bar Fight (who have previously played as support to Frightened Rabbit). In an interview, Scott mentions that he "met him on New Year’s Eve, in Glasgow, in a bar. I was really hammered and I was like ‘why don’t you come and play some shows with us man?’ and he was like ‘Yeah!’. The next day, I got a text like ‘Do you remember… did you say something about this or is it my imagination?’".
The band supported Death Cab for Cutie during their November 2008 UK & Irish tour, and released a live album, Quietly Now! in October.
The Winter of Mixed Drinks
Whilst touring in support of The Midnight Organ Fight, Scott Hutchison noted that he was "excited at the prospect of being in the studio again," and that stated that he "can't do another break-up album 'cause I haven't had one this year! Maybe it'll just be a little less focused on me".
Hutchison subsequently announced plans to head to Crail, Fife to write material for the band's third studio album:
The theme I'm going for is pushing yourself out to the edge of things and being alone, feeling lost and not knowing where you are, which is how I've felt recently. It's not all fun and games, but hopefully it'll just be less obviously personal and brutal than the last record. Less oppressive.
In May 2009, a video appeared online of Hutchison performing a new track, entitled "Swim Until You Can't See Land". The song was later revealed as the first single from the forthcoming third album.
In October 2009, the band members unveiled the album's title, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, and announced the arrival of a fifth band member, Gordon Skene (formerly of Make Model). According to Scott Hutchison:
A lot of the new record is heavily layered and it felt like too much for the four of us to do. We need another member to get them at their full impact. I dunno, we're kind of bored of each other. We just need to add some fresh meat.
The Winter of Mixed Drinks was released in March 2010.
The band made their U.S. television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on May 25, 2010, performing "Nothing Like You". In June 2010, they appeared on The A.V. Club covering The Lemonheads. On October 12, 2010, the television crime drama Detroit 1-8-7 featured the song "Yes I Would." The first single from the album, "Swim Until You Can't See Land" was also used in the trailer for the 2010 movie, "The Beaver (film)". They have also been chosen personally by Belle & Sebastian to perform at their second Bowlie Weekender festival, presented by All Tomorrow's Parties in the UK in December 2010. Again, the band supported Death Cab for Cutie during their 2011 North American tour.
A Frightened Rabbit EP
A Frightened Rabbit EP was released on July 28, 2011 and was available exclusively on their subsequent tour. On October 19, 2011, the EP was released as a free download to subscribers to the band's newsletter, with the announcement of a limited-run vinyl being available for pre-order. The songs on the album are Scottish Winds, Fuck This Place, and The Work.
In addition to Frightened Rabbit, Camera Obscura's Tracyanne Campbell contributes vocals on "Fuck This Place". Archie Fisher sings on "The Work".
In 2010, Hutchison wrote, recorded and performed with The Fruit Tree Foundation, appearing on its debut album, First Edition.
Fourth Studio Album
On December 6th, 2011, Clash Music reported that Frightened Rabbit were planning to record their fourth album, and Scott Hutchison states, "it's written, essentially," noting that they are on the production stage. Scott states, "We’re experimenting with minor keys, which is actually new for us," remarking upon the idea of a new sound. The band announced that on May 1st they would start recording the fourth album.
The fourth album will also mark the first time for the band that it is not Scott Hutchison alone with the task of songwriting, with Hutchison saying that "it's done nothing but benefit the new songs." The album is expected to be released by August 2012.
Band Lineup
Concerning the band's lineup, Scott Hutchison notes that: "The initial lineup in Frightened Rabbit was just myself. I had really only been messing with my 4 track for about 6 months before I started playing some shows on my own. Some of the songs still didn't have words and I was mostly just mumbling nonsense half the time. Grant joined a year later, making the outfit much noisier. Billy came along about 6 months after this and actually made it a bit less noisy. He's very calming like that is Billy. Andy has been in the band since January, and adds all the extra details we were missing before. Still not sure if we're finished gathering members". In 2009, Make Model band member Gordon Skene joined Frightened Rabbit, playing their first live show with Skene on November 6th, 2009.
The band has displayed some indifference towards music, saying that they "can take it or leave it."
Critical Reception
Sing The Greys
Reception for Sing the Greys varied, but were generally good. Sputnikmusic gave the album a 3.0, noting, "An unremarkable debut, but one that planted the seeds for future excellence." Pitchfork Media was more optimistic, giving it a 7.5, and Dusted Magazine stated, "Better get out of the way. These guys are just getting started."
The Midnight Organ Fight
Metacritic gave The Midnight Organ Fight an 80 out of 100, citing "generally favorable reviews based on 16 critics." Pitchfork gave it an 8.1, and Pop Matters gave it a 7 out of 10.
The Winter Of Mixed Drinks
Reviews were favorable for this album. BBC remarks, "from the off the record strikes a brighter beat." The Guardian gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, and similarly, NME gave it an 8 out of 10.
In comparison to The Midnight Organ Fight, some reviewers found The Winter Of Mixed Drinks a bit worse. While Metacritic gave The Midnight Organ Fight an 80, they gave The Winter of Mixed Drinks a 78 out of 100. This time, however, it was based on 28 critics. Although Pitchfork Media gave Midnight Organ Fight an 8.1, they gave Winter Of Mixed Drinks only a 6.6. No Ripcord gave the album a 6 out of 10, stating, "I wish there was a better way to say 'it just isn't as good as their last one.'"
However, other reviewers thought The Winter Of Mixed Drinks to be better than The Midnight Organ Fight. The A.V. Club rated The Midnight Organ Fight an A-, while it gave The Winter Of Mixed Drinks an A. Allmusic states, "on The Winter of Mixed Drinks, they focus and polish Organ Fight’s epics -- and add a healthy dose of optimism."
Charitable Work
Frightened Rabbit has done extensive work with Invisible Children music coalition project, going on tour with them in 2011. They performed songs for them, including a cover of the Death Cab For Cutie song, "Different Names For The Same Thing," as well as performing the song "Scottish Winds," from off of their new EP. At the end of the tour, they auctioned off the guitar they played during the tour, signed by the members, and the proceeds went to the Invisible Children corporation. They are currently participating in a fund raiser for Invisible Children, their goal being to raise $2,500.
