Frankie and the Heartstrings - The Days Run Away (10/07/2013)
The five-piece band Frankie & The Heartstrings’ second album, The Days Run Away is full of classic Brit-pop rhythms, powerful vocals and the genuine lyrics that is a perfect follow up to their 2011 debut album Hunger. With a mix of radio-friendly pop tunes, live show anthems and down-tempo ballads, this album has a little of something for fans both old and new.
I Still Follow You opens the album with a whirlwind of unrelenting bass and snares supporting the intricate rock ‘n’ roll guitar and keyboard lines. And while Frankie Francis lets the full force of his voice dominate the verses, he shows restraint in the harmonies during the choruses creating a softer and more sincere sound.
That Girl, That Scene follows up the energy of the opener with perhaps a slightly dirtier and less radio-friendly edge to it. The track plays as a classic rock ‘n’ roll anthem with Michael McKnight’s guitar channelling the best of The Ramones and Francis’ rather cheerful vocals fitting in with the not-giving-a-fuck vibe of the song.
With its hauntingly melancholic tone, She Will Say Goodbye is a stripped down track full of heartbreak and regret. The minimalist approach to the instruments on this track stand out from the rest of the album, but the use of light glockenspiel notes and faintly discordant strings create a maudlin atmosphere to the piece.
Everybody Looks Better (In The Right Light) and Scratches build up the energy and the drama towards the end of the album. Both are filled with classic Brit-pop swagger and catchy lyrics. Everybody Looks Better is a rather odd mix of catchy riffs, Francis’ over the top vocals and a bit more than just a causal inspiration from Grease’s Tell Me More.
Scratches is built on some of the most impassioned vocals off the whole album with power chords and impressive drum fills that push the track into an epic showstopper. This song is rock anthem ready and waiting for the additional energy of the live show, but already standing out on the album as a definite favourite.
Closing the album on a gentle note with a duet with Let’s Buy Happiness’ vocalist Sarah Hall, Light That Breaks is a beautifully crafted song that is a surprising but perfect fit for the album. The blend of Francis and Hall’s vocals are flawlessly mastered and sound as though they have been working together for years. Peter Brewis’ string additions to this track compliment the acoustic guitar backing and vocal harmonies, bringing the track into a balanced and delicate final song.
On first listen, I would have to describe the mix of styles and tracks on this album as odd. But after a few moments of thought and several follow-up listen throughs, I reckon this album is a perfect mix of sing-a-long, concert-waiting, exceptionally fun and still slightly odd songs that make for an impressive album from the band.
Bethany Williams
I Still Follow You opens the album with a whirlwind of unrelenting bass and snares supporting the intricate rock ‘n’ roll guitar and keyboard lines. And while Frankie Francis lets the full force of his voice dominate the verses, he shows restraint in the harmonies during the choruses creating a softer and more sincere sound.
That Girl, That Scene follows up the energy of the opener with perhaps a slightly dirtier and less radio-friendly edge to it. The track plays as a classic rock ‘n’ roll anthem with Michael McKnight’s guitar channelling the best of The Ramones and Francis’ rather cheerful vocals fitting in with the not-giving-a-fuck vibe of the song.
With its hauntingly melancholic tone, She Will Say Goodbye is a stripped down track full of heartbreak and regret. The minimalist approach to the instruments on this track stand out from the rest of the album, but the use of light glockenspiel notes and faintly discordant strings create a maudlin atmosphere to the piece.
Everybody Looks Better (In The Right Light) and Scratches build up the energy and the drama towards the end of the album. Both are filled with classic Brit-pop swagger and catchy lyrics. Everybody Looks Better is a rather odd mix of catchy riffs, Francis’ over the top vocals and a bit more than just a causal inspiration from Grease’s Tell Me More.
Scratches is built on some of the most impassioned vocals off the whole album with power chords and impressive drum fills that push the track into an epic showstopper. This song is rock anthem ready and waiting for the additional energy of the live show, but already standing out on the album as a definite favourite.
Closing the album on a gentle note with a duet with Let’s Buy Happiness’ vocalist Sarah Hall, Light That Breaks is a beautifully crafted song that is a surprising but perfect fit for the album. The blend of Francis and Hall’s vocals are flawlessly mastered and sound as though they have been working together for years. Peter Brewis’ string additions to this track compliment the acoustic guitar backing and vocal harmonies, bringing the track into a balanced and delicate final song.
On first listen, I would have to describe the mix of styles and tracks on this album as odd. But after a few moments of thought and several follow-up listen throughs, I reckon this album is a perfect mix of sing-a-long, concert-waiting, exceptionally fun and still slightly odd songs that make for an impressive album from the band.
Bethany Williams