Like any good narrator, Frightened Rabbit front man Scott Hutchison is identifiable and likeable from the get go, both of which are strong assets considering the personal nature of the songs. The Midnight Organ Fight is a record of his hurt feelings, broken relationships, desperation and trying to not only get better but to be better. At no point during the nearly 50 minute running time do the songs come off as self absorbed. In fact, it is quite the opposite. His plight becomes one with the listeners.

Being a young band from Glasgow can be a terribly hard thing to do. This legendary city is home to indie rock ground breakers like Belle and Sebastian, Orange Juice, Mogwai and Arab Strap just to name a few. Each of these acts are held up as the gold standard and a point of influence for every band in the area. Frightened Rabbit [Official Site, MySpace] respects these bands and their sonic traditions but thankfully doesn’t follow in them.

Instead they have developed their own unique sound that only comes from reaching into your heart and pulling out the contents. Their sophomore album, The Midnight Organ Fiight, is the latest example of how successful such an attitude can be.

Like any good narrator, Frightened Rabbit front man Scott Hutchison is identifiable and likable from the get go. Both of which are strong assets considering the personal nature of the songs. The Midnight Organ Fight is a record of his hurt feelings, broken relationships, desperation and trying to not only get better but to be better. At no point during the nearly 50 minute running time do the songs come off as self absorbed. In fact, it is quite the opposite. His plight becomes one with the listeners.

This is benefited by the fact that Hutchison is honest. Much like The Band‘s Levon Helm, he doesn’t hide his naturally full and accented voice. His lyrics, although full of the poetry of heartbreak, has no problem casting the pleasantries of and describing a situation for exactly what it is. He curses when he feels like it, screams when he wants and swoons for the crowd when he is damn ready.

Despite this earnestness, and the fact that only four guys are in the band, the tracks come across as huge, epic even. The band’s music skillfully balances personal lyrics along with a pop back beat and a explosiveness and intensity that can fill stadiums. Drummer Grant Hutchison provides the back bone for the band’s pulsating pop. His driving bass drum heavy percussion are as exciting as they are a breath of fresh air. It builds and builds until song explodes into through the choruses.

Whether the band is driving down the highway or taking it slow on tracks like the mostly acoustic “Poke”, which maybe one of most naked emotional moments on wax since Weezer’s “Butterfly,” they simply shine. To put it simply, the band is lovable and excellent at any speed. Their songs are full and their unique personality takes center stage. Frightened Rabbit, and by extension their album The Midnight Organ Fight, inject in melody, power, passion and meaning into pop music, all of which nearly anyone will tell you is sorely needed.

Rating: 4/5

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