18 September 2012 (gig)
27 September 2012
On the edge of East London, just past the city, Brick Lane’s 93 Feet East welcomes one of Scotland’s finest. Frightened Rabbit are on the verge of releasing their 4th album and my they’ve travelled well over the last 9 years.
First up, Withered Hand offers some sombre, rather challenging support. He is an interesting figure, notably blunt both in his lyrics and words between tracks but there’s something likeable about his ramblings. Check out Good News and you’ll probably want to hear more.
Opening with The Modern Leper it’s clear from the start that FR are playing with the tempo of their songs. Not content to just bash out the tracks as they are on record the 5-piece change up their approach. Some may point to a lack of energy on certain songs but this is more than made up for in Scott Hutchison’s great voice and presence, while his in-between comments are both funny and witty. He is an excellent frontman.
The Midnight Organ Fight is heartedly represented with Old Old Fashioned and The Twist proving particular highlights, the latter winding up with a mass sing-along and screams of “I love you Scott” meet its conclusion. Perhaps even better is Fast Blood. We also get two tracks from new EP State Hospital, be sure to give that a spin.
Before the encore Square 9 is revisited from debut album Sing the Greys and it’s clear more is wanted from that record with particular cries for Snake expertly dismissed by Hutchison in good humour.
Perhaps without the pace of certain tracks the audience are less frenetic than expected, but with plenty of punters left outside the demand for a bigger venue is very much there. Let’s say the Scala with people swinging from the ceiling. That could easily happen.
To open the encore Scott performs solo acoustic versions of Poke and the wonderful Scottish Winds from The Winter of Mixed Drinks. It’s another welcome addition to the evening, with plenty of quips about too much drinking and women troubles before the night closes with The Loneliness and the Scream. No loneliness for the moment though, it’s one big FR love in, great stuff!
