Toronto - The Fratellis are a Scottish indie punk band featuring three guys named Mince Fratelli, Jon Fratelli and Barry Fratelli. Despite the same last name, they do not share the same mother. So they are more ‘black’ brothers then blood brothers. Regardless of this, they skyrocketed to semi stardom a few years ago, with their album Costello Music, which featured a nice blend of that indie punk brit rock that is oh so hot these days. It also helped that they were featured on an Apple Advert, i think.

They are back in 2008 with the album ‘Here We Stand’, and while they do wear their influences on their sleeves (beatles, clash, libertines, arctic monkeys?), I have to say, this album was enjoyable upon the first listen. Granted, there is nothing on this album that is groundbreaking or makes you think for more then a few seconds, but good indie punk brit rock IS good indie punk brit rock, and that’s something I like. Theres no rocker on this album like ‘Chelsea Dagger‘ and its definitely a little more on the mellow side then the previous one, maybe they want to follow in the step of the Kooks and gain themselves some VH1 Love. I don’t know. Anyways, I think this album is decent listen if you have something else to do and want to listen to something nice, poppy yet rocky in the background.

3/5

 

 The Fratellis - Lupe Brown: Play Now

There seems to be a resurgence of musical genre’s these days. From 80’s electro-pop groups like Cut Copy to more contemporary throwbacks with She & Him. While I’ve throughly enjoyed aforementioned bands, there is one genre in particular that I’ve always hope would make a comeback: Britpop. I felt that this genre was only starting to scratch the surface before it’s untimely death in the late 90’s. But like a Phoenix rising from Arizona (thanks Frank C.), The Ruling Class is the first band that I feel is actually continuing what The Stone Roses, The Charlatans and Ride had started.

This Swedish/English combo started by singer/songwriter Tomas Kubowicz and bassist Anton Lindberg in 2006. After little success in finding like-minded bandmates in Sweden, they relocated to London in an attempt to perhaps gain some influence. It may have been a little too late, seeing as it was almost 10 years after Britpop’s demise, which Tomas admits to in a recent interview:

“The Stone Roses was kind of an introduction – I never had any high thoughts of their debut album when I first listened to it, but when I picked up the album again a couple years later and had a listen, it totally exploded. It’s a masterpiece. I’ve never left them since.”

Eventually they managed to find a drummer and subsequently recorded their debut EP Tour de Force, produced buy Mark Wallis who’s credits include the Smiths, the La’s, the Go-Betweens.

If you’re looking get that Britpop Monkey off your back, this album is sure to be your um…banana.

P.S. - Check the MP3 for ‘Umbrella Folds’ I’ve posted below. I think the chorus sounds exactly like ‘Waterfall’ by The Stone Roses, it makes me wonder if Tomas wrote that as a kind of cheeky homage.

4/5

Tour de Force CDEP is available now on Shelflife Records.

 

 The Ruling Class - Flowers: Play Now

 

 The Ruling Class - Umbrella Folds: Play Now

Toronto - The Charlatans have released their latest 2008 album - You Cross My Path, FOR FREEe. They love us. Yes they do.

Download Charlatans Album for Free

Alan McGee: “I completely mean it when I say this is their best record in year, their best since ‘Telling Stories’. I think for ten years they’ve been a brilliant band but they haven’t fulfilled their full potential until now.”

I have to say, I am a big fan of downloading for free concept. I think it will end up earning the Charlatans a lot of new fans. Their old fans will buy their cds anyway, so why not snag a few noobs and get them hooked on the new album and attend the shows? Great idea man.

I am including a single of their song on this post for you to preview, however, since its free and stuff, go grab it off the xfm link and save me some bandwidth please.

Review for album will come sooner or later, maybe my friend Jeff can tell me how good it is since hes a big fan of theirs.

 

 The Charlatans - You Cross My Path: Play Now