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An annual Top 31 countdown of the best albums of the year

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#6 on the 2024 Bacon Top 31 — Girl and Girl

January 26, 2025 by Royal Stuart in Top 31, 2024

Call A Doctor by Girl and Girl

And the winner for highest Top 31 debut for 2024 goes to: Brisbane, Australia’s Girl and Girl! This is a much-deserved recognition for an album that caught my attention so thoroughly this year that I couldn’t go more than a few days without listening to it. Since I first heard the album in August (it officially came out on May 24), anytime I met up with a music-curious friend who knows my proclivity for sharing good music, I would ask them, right out of the gate: “have you heard the Girl and Girl album yet?” followed shortly thereafter with “imagine Conor Oberst singing Clap Your Hands Say Yeah songs.” I still hold to that description, as it captures the sound of Girl & Girl’s music quite well.

Not only is this the band’s debut on the Top 31, the phenomenal Call A Doctor is the band’s official debut album. The band started out as a full family affair, but of the kind of mix I don’t believe I’ve seen before. On lead guitar and bass were brothers Jayden and Coby Williams, respectively. And on lead guitar/vocals and drums are Kai and Melissa “Aunt Liss” James, literal nephew and aunt, respectively. They started playing music together and released their first video and EP in 2021. In later 2022, Coby left the band, replaced by Fraser Bell on bass. Their self-released EPs, of which they released three between 2021 and 2023, found a wide enough following to get them signed to Sub Pop Records, the label their fantastic debut full-length is on.

Sub Pop Records has been killing it of late. I mean, the storied Seattle label has always been good, but look at the Sub Pop artists that showed up on the Top 31 this year: Naima Bock, Alan Sparhawk, Father John Misty, and now Girl and Girl. Four amazing albums, with more on the way.

I first found Girl and Girl thanks to their KEXP Live In-Studio Performance from May that was released in August. I’m actually going to ask you to pause here and hit play on the video above (or on the KEXP video link, as it starts the same way). “Call a Doctor,” the title song from the album, combined with “INTRO,” is an 8-minute epic, and will give you an immediate indication as to why I fell so hard for the band. Not only is Kai’s vocal track dynamic and invigorating, his knack for storytelling and baring his soul is second to none. The song starts with narration describing a “young hero” who’s in the emergency room, with a doctor telling him he’s actually just fine, while the inner voice inside the young man is telling him “You should call a doctor, you should call a doctor now” over and over again.

The story shifts to what I believe is the fabricated conversation our narrator has with the doctor he “calls.” The doctor’s voice tells the young man that not only is he not sick, but that he believes the young hero is subconsciously choosing to feel unwell to give him an out on life – if the young man is unwell, then he can easily point to that as the reason he is not excelling at life. It becomes apparent pretty quickly that this is Kai, talking to himself about his own issues of dealing with public humiliation and failure – of being deathly afraid of getting something, anything wrong, and in order to avoid being held accountable for any motivation or decision-making, he’s choosing to make himself sick. It’s a form of hypochondria I don’t believe I’ve heard described before, and I can’t speak to how exaggerated or auto-biographical it is, but I can certainly relate to the feelings he shares and the type of inner-voice conversation we all have with ourselves from time to time.

While not a complete concept album, the story told presents a theme of being unwell that carries on into other areas of the album, starting with the next song, “Hello.” This song makes it more plain that we’re hearing Kai’s inner turmoil spoken aloud. He narrates of hearing his name in the placating message he’s receiving from The Wesley Emergency Hall. “Oh, Mr. James, we’re glad you called, these thoughts you’ve had aren’t bad at all.” Followed shortly thereafter with him placating himself, “I guess I could try a more positive Kai.” Kai then exclaims he’d have been better off if he’d not called at all, because the forced positive thoughts that were recommended are “worse than hell.” The song then draws to a furious conclusion, repeating the refrain “so long, fairwell, auf wiedersehen, good night, and adieu, adieu, to you and you and you” from The Sound of Music, again and again and again.

It honestly makes me heave a sigh of relief to know that Kai is still with us. That’s the kind of sharing and openness I’ve not really experienced in music since “Floating in the Forth” by Frightened Rabbit. IYKYK.

Kai has the impressive ability to turn everything inside out, and for some reason it feels even more powerful to know that he’s performing these songs with his aunt. Two more videos have been created from the album, “Oh Boy!, and “Mother,” and they’re great songs. “OUTRO,” the last song on the album reads like a letter to a lover who’s moved away. “I hope you‘re well, ’Cause it’s hell down here. And this summer‘s long, not as long as you are near. And the doctors said any day, I’ll disappear. What a lovely day and such a shame to not be here.”

It all sounds so bleak and sad when typed out. And while Kai’s voice isn’t exactly uplifting, it’s dripping with emotion, and he sings with such fervor and the music is so bouncy, it has the strange effect of not being a depressing, doldrums listen. It is an affirmation of life, well worth repeated listening. I get to see Girl and Girl perform at the tiny Madame Lou’s theater underneath the new Croc on April 30, and I couldn’t be more excited. I urge you check out the album, and then pick up a ticket and join me. It amazes me this album hasn’t yet seen more interest, and I fully believe it’s just a matter of time.

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  1. Diamond Jubilee by Cindy Lee
  2. It’s Sorted by Cheekface
  3. Manning Fireworks by MJ Lenderman
  4. Hit Me Hard and Soft by Billie Eilish
  5. Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me by Porridge Radio
  6. CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler, The Creator
  7. Dot by Vulfmon
  8. Always Happy to Explode by Sunset Rubdown
  9. Songs Of A Lost World by The Cure
  10. TANGK by IDLES
  11. My Method Actor by Nilüfer Yanya
  12. Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii
  13. No Name by Jack White
  14. Flight b741 by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
  15. As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again by The Decemberists
  16. Cutouts and Wall of Eyes by The Smile
  17. Below a Massive Dark Land by Naima Bock
  18. Mahashmashana by Father John Misty
  19. Strawberry Hotel by Underworld
  20. Faith Crisis Pt 1 by Middle Kids
  21. Romance by Fontaines D.C.
  22. Here in the Pitch by Jessica Pratt
  23. Brand On The Run / Our Brand Could Be Yr Life by BODEGA
  24. People Who Aren’t There Anymore by Future Islands
  25. White Roses, My God by Alan Sparhawk

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January 26, 2025 /Royal Stuart
girl and girl, conor oberst, clap your hands say yeah, frightened rabbit
Top 31, 2024
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#2 on the 2021 Bacon Top 31 — Big Red Machine

January 30, 2022 by Royal Stuart

How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last? by Big Red Machine

Every year there’s the big obvious acts that continually appear on the Top 31. At the top of that list are both The National and Bon Iver, both of whom have had #1 albums (2010 and 2016) along with three additional, separate appearances on the Top 31 each. In fact, I haven’t done the math, but I’m confident in saying that Aaron Dessner (20% of The National) and Justin Vernon (99% of Bon Iver), combined, have been responsible for the largest percentage of all music I’ve listened to in the last 15 years.

The two of them have done many things together, arguably the most prominent being the work they’ve done together as Big Red Machine. Their first foray into a partnership was a collaborative song called “Big Red Machine” on the Dessner-produced Dark Was the Night compilation in 2009 (#10 that inaugural Top 31 year). According to wikipedia, Dessner reached out to Vernon via MySpace, and they collaborated on the song remotely, and didn’t meet in person until a follow-on performance for the collaboration was hosted later that year. They continued to work together while producing and creating with their respective bands. They formed a record label, 37d03d, which released the first full Big Red Machine album in 2018 (self-titled, #13 that year). In addition to Dessner and Vernon, that album also features Phoebe Bridgers, Dessner’s brother Bryce and Bryan Devendorf from The National, and multi-instrumentalist Richard Parry from Arcade Fire, among many others.

Then they turned their attention to Taylor Swift, or many she turned her attention to them. The two albums that came out of their collaboration had a big impact on my 2020 Top 31, coming in collectively at #4 last year. But Swift is not the only Dessner/Vernon produced artist I’ve enjoyed. From the very first Top 31 in 2009, with the aforementioned Dark Was the Night compilation and Bon Iver’s Blood Bank EP, there have been only two years (2014 and 2015) that one or both Vernon and Dessner did not appear on the Top 31 as performer or producer. Sharon van Etten, Local Natives, Frightened Rabbit, Taylor Swift, Kanye West — they’ve all benefited from the magic touch of Aaron Dessner and/or Justin Vernon in the last 15 years.

There were also a couple of Big Red Machine singles to come out in 2020 that haven’t appeared on any albums: “No Time For Love Like Now” with Michael Stipe, and a get-out-the-vote in Wisconsin cover of Aimee Mann’s “Wise Up” featuring 4 of out 5 members of The National and others.

And now we’re finally up to the present, with How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last?, the supergroup’s 2nd full-length album under the Big Red Machine name. The album features a daunting list of guest appearances: Taylor Swift on two songs, James Krivchenia of Big Thief, Anaïs Mitchell on three songs, Ilsey (a prolific singer/songwriter who has written for and sung with a dizzying number of artists you’ve heard of), Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold, Naeem (otherwise known as rapper Spank Rock), a song called “Hutch,” dedicated to the lost-too-soon lead singer of Frightened Rabbit, Scott Hutchison, featuring Sharon van Etten, Lisa Hannigan, and Shara Nova (lead singer of My Brightest Diamond), La Force (aka Ariel Engle of Broken Social Scene), Ben Howard, and This is the Kit (Kate Stables).

Whew.

There are many highlights to this album (as there should be for a #2 album of the year). The Robin Pecknold / Anaïs Mitchell sung “Phoenix,” shown in the lyric video above, is my personal favorite (mostly because it’s the favorite of 4-year-old, who demanded I play that song over and over again throughout the summer of 2021). But even the most stripped down songs, such as the two where Aaron Dessner finally takes the spotlight all by himself, playing guitar and singing on “The Ghost of Cincinnati” and “Magnolia” in what can only be described as his best Elliott Smith impersonation. The Taylor Swift collaboration “Renegade” is a poppy, Swiftian jaunt you’ll love – it could have easily been created for Swift’s 2020 albums folklore or evermore.

It’s hard not to look at How Long as the capper of one hell of a musical decade for Dessner and Vernon. There’s no way that either of them is done making music. But if you look at the arc of U2, R.E.M., or The Stones, now is about the time in their respective careers that the drive to create something new and different clashes with the desire to slow down, spend more time with family, and rely heavily on the income from previous hits rather than create something new and earth shattering. Selfishly, I hope they choose a different path and continue to give us everything they’ve got. We’ll find out soon enough – 2022 is a new year, and maybe there’ll be another Bon Iver or National album, or some new Dessner- or Vernon-produced project that will simply blow us all away. I can’t wait.

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3. Jubilee by Japanese Breakfast
4. A Way Forward by Nation of Language
5. Things Take Time, Take Time by Courtney Barnett
6. Little Oblivions by Julien Baker
7. Valentine by Snail Mail
8. sketchy. by tUnE-yArDs
9. A Very Lonely Solstice by Fleet Foxes
10. Hey What by Low
11. Local Valley by José González
12. Head of Roses by Flock of Dimes
13. The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows by Damon Albarn
14. Collapsed in Sunbeams by Arlo Parks
15. Loving In Stereo by Jungle
16. Flying Dream 1 by Elbow
17. Screen Violence by Chvrches
18. Blue Weekend by Wolf Alice
19. Mainly Gestalt Pornography by Pearly Gate Music
20. Peace Or Love by Kings of Convenience
21. These 13 by Jimbo Mathus & Andrew Bird
22. Mr. Corman: Season 1 by Nathan Johnson
23. Home Video by Lucy Dacus
24. I’ll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute to The Velvet Underground & Nico by Various Artists
25. Siamese Dream by Fruit Bats
26. NINE by Sault
27. Observatory by Aeon Station
28. The Monster Who Hated Pennsylvania by Damien Jurado
29. A Beginner’s Mind by Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine
30. Where the End Begins by Knathan Ryan
31. Private Space by Durand Jones & The Indications

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January 30, 2022 /Royal Stuart
2021, advented, big red machine, the national, bon iver, Justin vernon, aaron dessner, phoebe bridgers, arcade fire, taylor swift, sharon van etten, local natives, frightened rabbit, kanye west, Aimee mann, Michael stipe, big thief, anaïs mitchell, isley, fleet foxes, robin pecknold, naeem, lisa hannigan, Shara nova, my brightest diamond, broken social scene, la force, ben howard, this is the kit, elliott smith, rem
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#15 on the 2018 Bacon Top 31 — We Were Promised Jetpacks

January 17, 2019 by Royal Stuart

The More I Sleep the Less I Dream by We Were Promised Jetpacks

Allow me to take a tangent as I dive into #15, from the Scottish band We Were Promised Jetpacks. If you’re unable to cope with talk of someone taking their own life, consider this your cue to exit stage left.

On May 9, 2018, one of the best singer/songwriters ever to walk the earth committed suicide. Scott Hutchison, of Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit, acted out exactly what he had previously described himself as doing in his song “Floating in the Forth” and leapt to his death from the Forth Road Bridge.

Fully clothed, I'll float away
(I'll float away)
Down the Forth, into the sea
I'll steer myself
Through chopping waves
As manic gulls
Scream “it’s okay”
Take your life
Give it a shake
Gather up
All your loose change
I think I’ll save suicide for another year

That was written in 2008. He was able to “save suicide for another year” for ten years before his depression finally got the best of him, to the detriment of himself and everyone who ever heard his words. Unlike all previous deaths of actors, performers, and musicians (expected, accidental, or self-inflicted), this one was the most difficult for me, personally, in that it was so unexpected. Scott was in the prime of his life, his band was doing fantastically well, he’d just released a new side-project album called Mastersystem with his brother Grant and brothers Justin and James Lockey from Editors and Minor Victories, respectively. From everything I’d heard over the last couple years, he’d been able to rise up out of his funk and was living happily with his partner in LA.

Even four months prior to his death, Scott spoke of the song as if those feelings were firmly in the past:

“Floating in the Forth” was a real tough one. It’s a real thing. It’s a real thought. It’s a thought that I’ve taken to a place that I’m far less comfortable with… I’ve gone 90 percent of the way through that song in real life. But at the same time it’s gratifying. It’s heartening to know that I’ve been through that, and I’ve stood there performing that song, alive and feeling good about it. It’s a tough one. My mum and dad were at the show in Glasgow. We can joke about it, but it must be really hard to hear your son sing about that.

What his death has taught me is two-fold:

  1. no matter how much you think you know a famous person, you really don’t know them all
  2. I have a lot to learn about depression and how it can overtake someone even when from all appearances that person is doing extremely well

Scott will be deeply missed. My heart aches just writing about him here, and now any time I put on a Frightened Rabbit album I find it impossible to let it play in the background. The music starts, and his voice and lyrics consume me until the album is done. These are not depressive feelings of my own; they are empathetic, “fuck it all” feelings for what Scott and everyone else with depression was going / is going through, and recognition of my ineptitude of being able to help them.

Perhaps this blog is my outlet for help, no matter how small and inconsequential it may be. I try to remain positive, I tout what it is that I like about these artists, and I believe it’s a good thing for them (both popular and hyper-local acts) as well as the readers. Together we get through each year, a community of people who enjoy music and the world that surrounds it.

Thank you, reader. I knew I wanted to talk about Scott’s death in the Top 31, but I wasn’t sure how to do so before now. The Mastersystem album, while interesting as an artifact, was unfortunately forgettable, and didn’t land with my favorites of the year. So I’m holding onto the tangential relationship between Frightened Rabbit and We Were Promised Jetpacks as that connective tissue. Not only are both bands Scottish (and friends with each other), but the first time I saw WWPJ perform live was on September 16, 2009, when they were opening for Frightened Rabbit.

WWPJ that year were riding high on the power of their debut album, These Four Walls, which was #5 back in 2009, and is by all accounts a fantastic album. Since then, the band released two somewhat lackluster albums in 2011 and 2014, but then finally figured out the right formula between their 2009 greatness and what they’ve learned over the last decade, releasing The More I Sleep the Less I Dream.

The album sounds more mature, but is somehow, finally, the proper follow-up to their debut that I’ve been waiting on. It’s not as loud as the debut, and that‘s a good thing. It has a refined production that has been lacking since the beginning, something that no doubt comes with the band all hovering around the end of the their 20s. If you liked who they were then, there’s no doubt you’ll like who they are now. And if you’re unfamiliar, I suggest going all the way back to 2009 before diving into this album. Even if you start with this most recent release, you will not be disappointed either way.

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16. Joy as an Act of Resistance by IDLES
17. Hell-On by Neko Case
18. Superorganism by Superorganism
19. Living in Extraordinary Times by James
20. Thank You for Today by Death Cab for Cutie
21. Black Panther: The Album by Kendrick Lamar
22. Suspiria (Music for the Luca Guadagnino Film) by Thom Yorke
23. Merrie Land by The Good, the Bad & the Queen
24. Room 25 by Noname
25. WARM by Jeff Tweedy
26. God's Favorite Customer by Father John Misty
27. Vessel by Frankie Cosmos
28. For Ever by Jungle
29. Twerp Verse by Speedy Ortiz
30. Remain in Light by Angélique Kidjo
31. This One’s for the Dancer & This One’s for the Dancer’s Bouquet by Moonface

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January 17, 2019 /Royal Stuart
2018, advented, we were promised jetpacks, scott hutchison, frightened rabbit
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#15 on the 2016 Bacon Top 31

December 17, 2016 by Royal Stuart

Painting of a Panic Attack by Frightened Rabbit

Coming in like a sad Scottish raincloud to shit on your parade, we have Frightened Rabbit here at #15 with their fifth full-length album in the last decade, Painting of a Panic Attack. If you’ve been reading the Bacon Review for any length of time, you’d know that I love these five guys out of Selkirk, Scotland. They’ve been on the Top 31 three times (2010,2012, 2013) and would have been on here at least two more times if I’d only been charting my Top 31 prior to 2009.

I live in Seattle, and Frightened Rabbit makes for the perfect soundtrack to the dark, long, and wet winters we have in the Pacific NW (and in Scotland, I’ve heard). The members of Frightened Rabbit are masters songs that wallow in sadness and depression but turn into a resounding chorus of redemption and overcoming of adversity. It can sound a touch formulaic or simple at times, but that’s something I love about them. This is not deep, introspective music. This is straightforward, hit you over the head, emo rock & roll. And it is glorious.

And nothing beats a good Scottish accent.

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16. Why Are You OK by Band Of Horses
17. Not To Disappear by Daughter
18. Sunlit Youth by Local Natives
19. I Had a Dream That You Were Mine by Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam
20. ★ by David Bowie
21. Farewell, Starlite! by Francis and the Lights
22. This Unruly Mess I’ve Made by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
23. LNZNDRF by LNZNDRF
24. Puberty 2 by Mitski
25. Light Upon the Lake by Whitney
26. A Corpse Wired for Sound by Merchandise
27. Away by Okkervil River
28. case/lang/veirs by case/lang/veirs
29. Love Letter for Fire by Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop
30. Barbara Barbara, We Face a Shining Future by Underworld
31. Preoccupations by Preoccupations

December 17, 2016 /Royal Stuart
2016, advented, frightened rabbit
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#12 on the 2013 Musical Bacon Calendar

December 20, 2013 by Royal Stuart

Pedestrian Verse by Frightened Rabbit

I haven’t done any exhaustive research, but I’d wager that I’ve written more about Frightened Rabbit than any other band, here on The Bacon Review as well as over at Another Rainy Saturday. If you follow me, you know they’re one of my absolute favorites.

They’re from Scotland. They play straight-up indie rock, with accents. And they mainly sing songs about heartache and loss, but in the hardest rocking way possible. If this description fits your tastes, you really can’t get any better than this.

I’m not going to say much more about them here. I’ve said so much already, I’d like to hear what you have to say now. Give the song above a listen, download Pedestrian Verse, their 4th full-length (the last three of which are in near-constant rotation over here at Bacon HQ). Enjoy.

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13. The Silver Gymnasium by Okkervil River
14. The Next Day by David Bowie
15. Reflektor by Arcade Fire
16. We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic by Foxygen
17. Lanters by Son Lux
18. Howlin’ by Jagwar Ma
19. Impersonator by Majical Cloudz
20. Dream Cave by Cloud Control
21. Mole City by Quasi
22. Phantogram by Phantogram
23. Julia With Blue Jeans On by Moonface
24. Uncanney Valley by The Dismemberment Plan
25. Event II by Deltron 3030
26. Wise Up Ghost by Elvis Costello and The Roots
27. Us Alone by Hayden
28. Pure Heroine by Lorde
29. Shaking the Habitual by The Knife
30. False Idols by Tricky
31. Let’s Be Still by The Head and the Heart

2012 Musical Bacon Calendar
2011 Musical Bacon Calendar
2010 Musical Bacon Calendar
2009 Musical Bacon Calendar

December 20, 2013 /Royal Stuart
2013, advented, frightened rabbit
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February 22, 2013 by Royal Stuart

Frightened Rabbit’s newest video, for their song “Backyard Skulls” from their newly released album Pedestrian Verse, is a tad on the funny side.

Been listening to this song for a while now, and only now, having seen the video, did I realize they were saying “backyard skulls.” I love how music works.

February 22, 2013 /Royal Stuart
frightened rabbit, watched
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December 22, 2012 by Royal Stuart

#10 on the 2012 Musical Bacon Calendar

State Hospital EP by Frightened Rabbit

I’m not going to write much about this EP. By now, as a reader of my writing, you’ve probably grown accustomed to my fanaticism about Frightened Rabbit. If you haven’t given them a listen because of me up to this point, then I don’t believe I can say anything more that will sway you to change your mind.

And besides, this is just a 5-song EP. A FUCKING BRILLIANT 5-song EP. The title song will also be part of their February 2013 full-length release, Pedestrian Verse, which will undoubtedly be on the 2013 Bacon Calendar. The band has yet to release an album that hasn’t blown me away.

Buy everything this band has ever created. That is all I ask.

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11. A Thing Called Divine Fits by Divine Fits
12. Some Nights by fun.
13. Tramp by Sharon van Etten
14. Fear Fun by Father John Misty
15. Love This Giant by David Byrne and St. Vincent
16. To The Treetops! by Team Me
17. The Master: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Jonny Greenwood
18. There’s No Leaving Now by The Tallest Man On Earth
19. Transcendental Youth by The Mountain Goats
20. A Church That Fits Our Needs by Lost In The Trees
21. Hospitality by Hospitality
22. Free Dimensional by Diamond Rings
23. History Speaks by Deep Sea Diver
24. A Different Ship by Here We Go Magic
25. Negotiations by the Helio Sequence
26. Moms by Menomena
27. The Sound of the Life of the Mind by Ben Folds Five
28. Shields by Grizzly Bear
29. Every Child A Daughter, Every Moon A Sun by The Wooden Sky
30. Fragrant World by Yeasayer
31. Reign of Terror by Sleigh Bells

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2011 Musical Bacon Calendar
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December 22, 2012 /Royal Stuart
2012, advented, frightened rabbit
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November 21, 2012 by Royal Stuart

New Frightened Rabbit album, Pedestrian Verse, coming February 5, 2013. Here’s one of the songs from the album, “Dead Now.” A montage video, not much to it really. But still: NEW FRIGHTENED RABBIT!

November 21, 2012 /Royal Stuart
frightened rabbit, watched
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August 20, 2012 by Royal Stuart

Gaghlehslfeulfyalllllfllgllll……… That’s how these guys make me feel: braindead and drooling in amazement at how they continue to exceed expectations.

New Frightened Rabbit. LOVE these guys.

New EP State Hospital comes out September 24.

August 20, 2012 /Royal Stuart
frightened rabbit, watched
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December 30, 2010 by Royal Stuart

#2 on the 2010 Musical Bacon Calendar

The Winter of Mixed Drinks by Frightened Rabbit

After a large number of somewhat out there — but nonetheless great — albums across the 2010 Musical Bacon Calendar, we now come to a great, straightforward indie-rock album. You may not be familiar with Frightened Rabbit, and if that’s the case, do what you need to to ge acquainted. With ballads, guitar picking folk ditties, and hard rocking anthems, there is something in The Winter of Mixed Drinks for every rock & roll fan. Editor, lead writer, and all-around owner of the site I do my “professional” writing for, Chris Burlingame at Another Rainy Saturday, summed the album up quite well by saying, “The newer album succeeds at finding a fuller, more complex sound that includes adding string and horn arrangements to their mix. Polished, maybe, but the sound is richer and I think for the better.”

I had the immense pleasure of seeing Frightened Rabbit play at Showbox at the Market earlier this year, and I reviewed their performance thusly:

Scott comes across as one of the most sincere people I’ve ever had the pleasure to hear sing. He and the other four guys in his band have “nicest blokes you’d ever meet” tattooed all over them. I want to bring them to my grandma’s house, where I imagine they would introduce themselves and then volunteer to shut all of her storm windows for the pending winter. Scott’s brother Grant plays drums and sings backup. The band is filled out with three more guitars (and the occasional vocals, bass, additional percussion, or keyboards) played by Billy Kennedy, Andy Monaghan and Gordon Skene.

Frightened Rabbit have three full length albums to pull from, but with the exception of one song, “Be Less Rude,” from their debut album, Sing the Greys, they stuck to songs from their more recent, more successful albums. They managed to play nearly everything I could hope for: ten songs from 2007’s The Midnight Organ Fight, and seven from this year’s The Winter of Mixed Drinks. The one glaring hole in the setlist was “Skip The Youth,” my favorite song from the new album.

“Skip the Youth” is still my favorite song on the album, but there’s not a bad one in the bunch. The rather sweet video above is for probably the second-best song on the album, “The Loneliness & The Scream.”

While the band is still unheard of by mainstream U.S. standards, I feel they’re on the verge of breaking into the mainstream. This album, while it’s been out for most of the year, could be the one that pushes them over the hump. True, it’s proving more and more easy to hear new music online, but reaching the ears of the masses is inversely more difficult. I’m not entirely sure it’s even possible without a major label’s help. But, fingers crossed, these five guys from Glasgow won’t be hidden away on countdowns like mine in the near future.

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3. The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens
4. Odd Blood by Yeasayer
5. Mines by Menomena
6. Contra by Vampire Weekend
7. Go by Jónsi
8. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
9. Gorilla Manor by the Local Natives
10. The Head and the Heart by the Head and the Heart
11. Special Affections by Diamond Rings
12. Treats by Sleigh Bells
13. Write About Love by Belle & Sebastian
14. Wild Smile by Suckers
15. Learning by Perfume Genius
16. Forgiveness Rock Record by Broken Social Scene
17. Expo 86 by Wolf Parade
18. One Life Stand by Hot Chip
19. Big Echo by The Morning Benders
20. Here’s To Taking It Easy by Phosphorescent
21. This is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
22. The Mistress by Yellow Ostrich
23. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
24. Been Listening by Johnny Flynn
25. The Wild Hunt by The Tallest Man on Earth
26. Lisbon by The Walkmen
27. Scratch My Back by Peter Gabriel
28. All Day by Girl Talk
29. A Storm – A Tree – My Mother’s Head by Bobby Bare Jr.
30. 03 to TEN by Knathan Ryan
31. In This Light On This Evening by Editors

December 30, 2010 /Royal Stuart
advented, 2010, frightened rabbit
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October 11, 2010 by Royal Stuart

A rather long video that you don’t need to watch, but should bring yourself to put on in the background and listen to as you go about your day.

I just saw Frightened Rabbit for the second time last week, and the video above was recorded between those two sets. Neither time I saw them did they perform The National’s “Fake Empire” (47:40) or the Hold Steady’s “Southtown Girls” (1:06:23), but both of those covers make it well worth the price of admission to watch this awesome video.

Enjoy.

October 11, 2010 /Royal Stuart /Source
watched, frightened rabbit
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