The Fratellis - Costello Music

Thank fuck for The Fratellis! So it says in the liner notes of the Scottish band’s debut LP, Costello Music, and I’m going to have to agree. I encourage you to even attempt to not enjoy this record. If you’re struggling through the day, The Fratellis will leave you feeling fine. If you’re having a grand ol’ time, The Fratellis will make it even better. It’s that kind of album. What you’ll find within Costello Music are twelve impossibly catchy, danceable rock (indie precursor omitted since being on MTV, featuring in an Apple spot, and calling Interscope your label isn’t indie) tracks. “Flathead,” from said Apple spot and MTV video contains arguably the most elementary guitar solo ever put to wax. Basic, but it works. Imagine a dirtier Franz Ferdinand or a tighter Arctic Monkeys to name two bands who’ve endured similar hype and whose sounds are comparable. The Fratellis are far more versatile than both of them, though, and don’t take themselves nearly as seriously. This is good time music, plain and simple. Thank fuck indeed. [www.thefratellis.com]