There's an episode of The Simpsons in which the running gag is the writers have run out of things to say, so the latest show has to consist of old clips would together. Today's posting is a bit like that.I don't think its any great surprise to regular readers that I've no hesitation in naming Frightened Rabbit as my favourite act of 2008, and The Midnight Organ Fight as my favourite LP of 2008.
They've featured very heavily within the pages of TVV this past 12 months. Among the things I've said before are that are the best new band to come out of Scotland this century, the brilliance of their live sets dazzled, it's been a long time since I was so excited by the imminent release of an LP and they are ready to take on the world and conquer it.
Another thing to acknowledge is that the existence of blogs have played a huge part in helping the band's popularity increase. It was through the posting of some songs from the debut album over at one of Comrade Colin's old abodes that allowed me to discover them, and over the past 12 months, the posting of songs here and many other Scottish blogs have been listened to the world over, and I know that many American and Australian music fans in particular have taken the boys to their collective bosoms. Indeed, as I type this, Frightened Rabbit are in fact halfway round the world in Australia, seeing in the New Year with a bundle of their own shows as well as Festival dates. So much for those who see bloggers as the enemy.....
The band will no doubt be working on some new songs in 2009, but prior to that there will be a live album released in the Spring. It will consist of a performance at the Captain's Rest in Glasgow during which which the songs from The Midnight Organ Fight were given the Unplugged treatment. I've been lucky enough to have received an advance copy, and it's damn fine splendid indeed.....
This being the last posting of 2008, I'd like to thank everyone who has dropped by at anytime over the past 12 months and for showing an interest in the ramblings of an ageing muso. And I really want to say thanks to those of you who took the time and made the effort to leave comments and/or drop me an e-mail - they are always appreciated.
I want to give a really special mention to ctelblog who not only stepped in when I was away on holiday, but kept the blog afloat when I had the near-disaster of a PC crash that wiped out 15,000 files. Without him, I might have been tempted to give the whole thing up at one point.
I'm taking tomorrow off (no-one in Scotland does anything on 1st January except recover from a hangover), but I'll be back on Friday with the latest offering the homage to Morrissey series.
Happy New Year
mp3 : Frightened Rabbit - The Modern Leper
mp3 : Frightened Rabbit - Heads Roll Off (live acoustic session)*
mp3 : Frightened Rabbit - Set You Free**
* NOT the version recorded at the Captain's Rest
** b-side of the Heads Roll Off single
19 comments:
Thanks for turning me onto this band earlier in the year, JC - because of you, they ended up in my top ten albums of the year.
Have a great New Year.
Happy Hogmanay JC x
All the best for 2009 JC.
Drew
keep up the excellent work in 2009.
fmo
Have a great night .... maybe you've already started it??
All the best for the New Year JC and thanks for all your efforts in 2008.
I agree with the first post. Thanks to you this made my top ten as well. Thanks for all your work and have a SAFE New Year's Eve celebration.
Thanks for all the great reads and great music over the past 12 months JC.
Here's hoping 2009 turns out to be a great year for you....and by the way James Grant has a new album out next month , must be worth a mention!
Phil
Tel Aviv
I couldn't agree more. I love me some Glasgow goodness and man does Glasgow produce some greats!
Thanks for some great writing and amazing music. :-)
Cheers to another great year of music in 2009!
"I know that many American and Australian music fans in particular have taken the boys to their collective bosoms. Indeed, as I type this, Frightened Rabbit are in fact halfway round the world in Australia, seeing in the New Year with a bundle of their own shows as well as Festival dates. So much for those who see bloggers as the enemy....."
I can attest to the Aussie collective bosom part, and will be attending one of those shows myself! (I know you know this already, but I'm too excited not to mention it just one more time!)
Really appreciated your 'bloggers as the enemy' comment also. Although I found out about FR on a different blog, if it wasn't for bloggers I would've had no way of knowing about these guys from my little corner of the world.
Music blogs promote music.
Isn't it about time that fact was universally acknowledged?
Like so many others have said, you got me started listening to them too :). Thanks for all the great songs and writing this year and I look forward to more of the same in 2009.
x.
ah darlin! what can I say? Happy New Year, it's been such a joy blogging with you in 2008. You were one of the first bloggers to encourage me onward, and I've always appreciated that. No matter what 2009 brings, we bloggers will weather it.
As for FR, yes I have you to thank and Matthew as well, and they have made my top 15 list. I am beginning to feel like a FR evangelist/employee of the Scottish Tourist board :) What a great album, full stop.
Thank you for everything, much much love from Chicago xoxoox
have i told you i'm seeing them jan. 16th? i could not BE more excited! their album was my number two for the year. (would've been number one but no one could displace devotchka this year.)
quick question: what is hogmanay?
Hogmanay is the Scottish term for New Year's Eve.
Happy New Year..well..it IS still new, even if I'm a day late.
Happy New Year JC. I don't have to tell you again how much I love your blog...but I will. Reading your posts (while listening to the music you put up) is a highlight of my week.
Also, like so many others said here, I have you to thank for steering me onto FR. I was lukewarm to them at first, but ended the year with the band as a strong fave.
thanks! check out my interview with the band http://www.halfcute.com/2009/01/q-with-frightened-rabbit-breaking-and.html
hey can someone repost links to these songs? "set you free" and the "heads roll off" live acoustic... i can't find a link to the download on this page or anywhere on the web. my email is zavodas@xavier.edu.
thanks so much
That fantastic! realy! these website is way better then everything I ever saw.
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