To write something about this band has proved to be harder than most. Since starting to write reviews this year, I have followed the notion of writing about a single event I have visited…. a small portion of time when I witnessed something in person and thus creating a small capture of a moment…. a collection of a memory that transcribes into a permanent reflection of that said time.
The difference with this piece is I have never seen this band play live. And unfortunately for those who from the outset are somewhat familiar with this band, will never get to see. To therefore write about them was based purely on the listening of the glorious songs that they have created, the emotion of their writing and the collection of work that they produced….. a master of works created by one of the most poignant bands in my life.
Frightened Rabbit
I remember clearly the first time I ever heard them. My friend played me Backwards Walk. The simple strumming of the guitar…. the beautiful rhythm of the song and the Scottish accented lyrics…… the words that were spoken. Scott’s ability to write and sing verses that created an emotive picture effortlessly. It felt harrowing… it felt honest…. it felt raw. You’re the shit and I’m knee deep in it…. the curtailing lyrics sung on repeat until the close does portray anguish…… yet I feel… also hope. Despite the rather unusual lyrics, it gave an honest and visual portrayal and culminates the song stunningly.
Me and my friend discussed the song endlessly and delved further into the works of Frightened Rabbit, plunging into a Youtube chasm of discovery of what records they have produced.
Another one of those songs that has forever stuck with me is Floating in the Forth. Taken from the album The Midnight Organ Fight…… a turbulent story of a person, impending to jump from the Forth Bridge but ultimately deciding not to… “I think I’ll save suicide for another day”… distressing words that hit incredibly hard yet deliver so much hope.
Despite the above reference to the songs, don’t be believed into this band being all about similar subjects. They have a stunning array of tracks over their career and something that I am certain everyone will find that one song that hits them in the way this does to me.
The bands formation brought about a collection of albums that are equally as beautiful as each other. Scott’s fellow band members throughout their time as Frightened Rabbit include Grant, Billy, Andy, Simon and Gordon and between them produced the following albums….
Sing the Greys
The Midnight Organ Fight
The Winter of Mixed Drinks
Pedestrian Verse
Painting of a Panic Attack
The career of Frightened Rabbit was a distinguished one. The above 5 albums and critical acclaim followed on mass with Scott’s incredible artwork accompanying albums, providing creativity in many forms. There is so much to this band and the chance to become immersed in their work is one not to pass up on.
Since the passing of Scott in 2018, the impact of Frightened Rabbit lives on in Tiny Changes – a Mental Health charity created following the Scott’s death… the name of the charity taken from the lyrics of one of Frightened Rabbit’s songs - Heads Roll Off….. ”and while I’m alive, I’ll make tiny changes to Earth” His poetic words inspiring those closest to him move forwards and benefit the many people who continue to need it most.
And circling back to my opening paragraph, the difficulty to put into words about this band is so tough. Simply writing about it alone does not do the slightest bit of justice of what this band are about. The pureness and vulnerability, coexisting with uplifting and joyous songs – playing out in front of us amongst the tenderness of emotions of not only us who listen, but of the band and Scott.... who ultimately feel....... and felt them all.
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