Take A Listen: Heads Roll Off (Daytrotter) from Frightened Rabbit

Download:Heads Roll Off (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

Scott Hutchison explains, “’Swim Until You Can’t See Land’ was the title I had in my mind before I even started writing the album; I was becoming more and more interested in the idea of a rejection of the habits and behaviour most people see as normal, and in turn embracing a certain madness. It’s about losing your mind in order to reset the mind and the body. Forget what’s gone before and wash it out. This is not necessarily a geographical journey, as the ‘swim’ can involve any activity in which you can lose yourself. It’s a good introduction to the record as the theme unravels therein.”

You can take a listen to both tracks here.

First to take the stage was, We Were Promised Jetpacks, the band I was least familiar with going into the show. While I was instantaneously intrigued by the band after hearing their single, “Moving Clocks Run Slow”, the album, ‘These Four Walls’, as a whole didn’t resonate with me. Now, after seeing them live, it is obvious why. We Were Promised Jetpacks is a young, rough around the edges band, and it’s the raw, non-technical details that seem to make their music and character appealing. This band looks good with a bit of dirt on their face.

Even though it was Thompson’s fervor filled vocals that occupied a majority of my attention, the four-piece also shined without words…they let their sound speak for itself. Their set-list included the tracks such as, “It’s Thunder And It’s Lightning”, “Ships With Holes Will Sink”, “Quiet Little Voices” and “This Is My House, This Is My Home”.

Next up to take the stage was The Twilight Sad, whose sophomore album, ‘Forget the Night Ahead’, was released about a week ago. To be honest I was not very into their set, even though all the instrumental constituents sounded on point. I am a fan of their debut album’s cold, remote sound and figured their set would be introverted, but the band seemed totally disconnected with the audience. I am not even sure Graham noticed that there was a crowd by his feet, and I’m pretty sure the three other members standing on the stage didn’t move more than an inch the entire time. Although, I can say that I fully enjoyed listening to their live rendition of, “Reflection Of The Television”.

For the final act of the evening, out walked Frightened Rabbit. For me, it was love at first listen with their album, “Midnight Organ Fight,” so I was certainly curious to hear the lyrics of “Twist” played live and in person. The mostly plaid wearing four-piece was charming on stage, and songs like “Backwards Walk” and “Good Arms vs. Bad Arms”, sounded even more earnest in a live, slightly dingy setting. The Frightened Rabb crew also debuted a new track, “Nothing Like You,” which is from their forthcoming album (2010). For one of the last encore songs of the evening, Scott Hutchinson stepped onto the stage, with an acoustic guitar, and without a mic for his organic version of “Poke” and pretty much lulled the audience.

Listening to and falling in love with, Frightened Rabbit. The Midnight Organ Fight is a truly amazing album from start to finish. (Sings The Greys is a pretty special album too)

Birdmonster! No Midnight has become one of my staples, I don’t feel right without a little Birdmonster in my day. “From the Mountain to The Sea” is a terrific album as well. Oh, and seeing them live at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC was unforgettable.

Locksley opening up for NeedToBreathe at The Mercury Lounge.

The Golden EP from Bear Hands.

The mass appeal of the Vocoder and/or Talk Box. It’s hysterical how many top ten songs and Hot Shot Debuts were spawned from a device that basically hides peoples’ lack of talent. I wonder what Peter Frampton and the Zapp Band think about this new craze? Just goes to show you how far the music industry and popular music has fallen.

Seeing the Von Bondies play a show in Seattle.

State Radio’s album Year Of The Crow playing in my iPod while snowboarding down a mountain.

Paper Rival’s song Alabama.

The Airborne Toxic Event at The Mercury Lounge in NYC.

The Fillmore and Terminal 5 in NYC…got to see some great shows at these venues like, Flogging Molly, Hotel Café Tour and Wolf Parade

Bon Iver, The Muslims, Division Day, Fleet Foxes, Dr. Dog, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Colour Revolt, Foals, The Deadly Syndrome, Passion Pit, South, Pela, MGMT, The Helio Sequence, Vampire Weekend, Cut Off Your Hands, Miniatures Tigers…(Just to name a few artists/bands I enjoyed this year)