Written by Claire Schroeder
While some fans of Frightened Rabbit have expressed disappointment with the band’s shift towards an increasingly produced and layered sound, the Scottish rockers’ fourth album, Pedestrian Verse, is nothing but an improvement on their previous releases. The album continues the band’s trend of releasing music that is not radically different from anything that is already out there, but still seems fresh and worth listening to.
Pedestrian Verse does not offer any stripped down, tear-jerking and bitter breakup songs (unlike their second album, The Midnight Organ Fight, from which “Poke” generated much of the group’s following). Nor does the album sever the emotional ties between the music and its listeners. Rather, the sensitive lyrics, along with the easily loveable voice of Scott Hutchison, help the music to maintain its meaningfulness. The album, in addition to containing exceptional instrumentals, provides lyrical confessions, which enhance its overall intimacy and genuineness.
In addition to the strong vocals and candid lyrics, the album remains consistent with Frightened Rabbits’s past releases in another way. It has great instrumentation throughout. The nice bass tones persist from beginning to end, and the band’s drummer assists with strong, but not overwhelming, percussion. To the band’s credit, they provide a sound that is consistent with their last album, and, though it is more produced than past efforts, Pedestrian Verse carries distinctive vibes that have been present in the band’s work from the beginning. However, they can be lauded because the regularity does not equal dullness with this album.
Though the album may not be exactly what some fans hoped for, Pedestrian Verse proves that Frightened Rabbit can still write enjoyable and honest songs without seeming tired. The album is definitely worth listening to, even for people not yet familiar with the band.
Rating: W-P-G
RIYL: Fanfarlo, the Shins, the National
Top Tracks: “Holy,” “Late March, Death March,” “Nitrous Gas”
Check out “Nitrous Gas” below:
