“Henrietta”
from the album Costello Music
2006 (2007 U.S.)
iTunes
There’s nothing terribly complicated about the Fratellis’ debut album, Costello Music, but that’s by no means a criticism. Rather than inject their songs with complex chords, or steep their lyrics with their political and social agendas, this Glasgow trio have instead focussed on writing 13 songs that are pure, unabashed entertainment. And it’s a pace — and an attitude — that doesn’t let up, from the jumpy opening bars of “Henrietta” to the groupie-reminiscing of “Ole Black ‘n’ Blue Eyes.” In many ways, Costello Music sounds like a return to the hedonistic rush of early 1990s Britpop, with it’s exhilarating guitar riffs and arrogant swagger — “Chelsea Dagger” somehow applies the attitude of early Oasis to the pop catchiness of Great Escape-era Blur. But the Fratellis also know their history: the ska-punk of “Cuntry Boys & City Girls” and “For the Girl” has the Fratellis sounding like the cheeky offspring of the Clash, or a less-irritating Madness. But all this analysis kind of misses the point of Costello Music: this is music for dancing, not for contemplation. It’s loud, fast and in-your-face, exactly what you’d expect from three young men with guitars.