Here We Stand

The Fratellis

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 10, 2008)
• Original Release Date: June 9, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B0018TAFRK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,478 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > Europe > British Isles > Scotland

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk
In spite--or perhaps because of--being written off by many critics as a commercial pub-rock outfit, Glaswegian band The Fratellis have managed to procure themselves a fairly prodigious fan base. Their catchy songs, gigantic hooks and good-time lyrics have earned the band an army of fans keen to indulge in a bawdy sing-a-long. If the trend-setting press were tough on the band’s 2006 debut Costello Music though, The Fratelli’s weren’t listening. Here We Stand continues pretty much where that album left off, although it could be argued that a lot of the charm of their first album has disappeared. The clanging rock riffs of songs like "Shameless", "Mistress Mabel" and "Acid Jazz Singer" show the band in typically ribald form, while "Tell Me A Lie" and "A Heady Tale" attempt to revive the big-haired rocker spirit of 70s acts like Slade and Status Quo. Infectious as some of this material is, Here We Stand somehow doesn’t capture the same cocky joie de vivre that made Costello Music so much fun. At the same time, it’s refreshing to hear a band so determined to do their own thing and have a good time--no matter what the critics say.--Danny McKenna

Product Description
THE FRATELLIS "HERE WE STAND"

The much anticipated follow-up to The Fratellis debut "Costello Music". Like it's predecessor, "Here We Stand" has a great melodic sense and funny heartfelt lyrics, rounded out with excellent production and ear-grabbing vocals. "Costello Music" has scanned nearly 150,000 units in the US and over one million units in the UK to date. "Costello Music" was also a critical and licensor's favorite in 2007, including most notably an iTunes campaign, among many other placements. Throughout the fi rst album campaign, every time the band came to the US their audience increased dramatically (NYC concert attendance went from Mercury Lounge to Roseland in only 5 months, band was highlight of SXSW and Coachella).

On this album - the first to be released simultaneously worldwide - the band is committed out of the gate to touring the world in support.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The power of the sing-along chorus is their winning formula for success., June 10, 2008

By	jazzy modes (Vancouver, Canada.) - See all my reviews

Rolling on from the 2006 debut album Costello Music, recorded less than a year after the trio - Jon, Mince and Barry Fratelli - formed, and which went on to sell a million copies, "Here We Stand" is the follow up from the Scottish moppy haired bros.
By that point, they had apparently written half of this follow-up, which might account for the sameyness and sense of déjà vu.
The CD is only following the time-honoured guideline for any new band who enjoy a stratospheric rise with their debut album: stick to what you already know works, don't start experimenting at least until album three. Given that The Fratellis are proud to say they won't pursue a tune for more than 15 minutes, there may be a wait before the concept album about a tramp they met in the park sees the light of day.
The album is harmless fun that comprises big dumb pop songs, nonsensical lyrics with a generic indie/rock melody that you can be sure of hearing at every pub in town. It's lad music at its finest; think lyrics you could get away with bellowing at a football stadium.
Even though there is not much substance to this album it is not a terrible attempt just rather a disappointing one.
"Here We Stand" is the definition of the perfect soundtrack for your next bar crawl or for any 'plastic gangster' type characters that you see lurking around your local.
This music isn't to be taken too seriously and can be seen as mainly enjoyed whilst being under the influence.
Ostensibly, The Fratellis have served up the same dish again, but have played about a bit with the ingredients. They bow out on a hopeful note with "Lupe Brown", which exhibits a hitherto untapped way with a skyscraping Bay City Rollers-style chorus, and "Milk & Money", a piano-led foray into Bowiesque territory that hopefully points the way forward now that John Lawler, aka Jon Fratelli, has discovered the joys of keyboards.
The lead single, "Mistress Mabel", is at least speedy, catchy bar-room ribaldry. It's the only thing here that deserves to have the success of Chelsea Dagger, the single that threatens to be this bands' career high.
But albums this single-minded really shouldn't hang around for over 50 minutes : before the party's even over, the hangover has kicked in. In fairness, 'Here We Stand" is well-executed, but there is something a little heartless in their mix of 1970s glam and post-Libertines rock.
But The Fratellis are clever, they understand the power of the sing-along chorus as a winning formula for success.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Is This Really The Fratellis?, June 20, 2008

By	Katrina-UK (Stockport, Cheshire, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

It seems The Fratellis have turned into a post brit-pop/indie band since their last album. Costello Music was Fantastic. I gave it 10/10 in all my reviews because it was original, full of energy, and great fun. It made me feel great listening to it. 'Here We Stand' is nothing in comparison. A below average indie album, boring, awful vocals and a lot of the tunes have been nicked from other music I've heard. (So definitely not original). For instance the tune they play in Lupe Brown sounds as if its been copied from the film 'August Rush'. I understand a band should grow, but I don't like the direction they have chosen, or where they are heading. I so wanted to like this album but it comes as a huge disappointment after the success of Costello Music.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Costello Music tramples this album, but it's still pretty decent, July 7, 2008

By	S. Kraft (Huntingburg, IN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Fratellis' most recent album, "Here We Stand," had much to live up to, given that their first EP "Costello Music" was one of the best alternative albums released in recent years in my opinion. So I wasn't surprised when I sampled "Here We Stand" because obviously they can't all be 5-star-albums. But it is decent, decent enough to not have completely ignored it amongst better recent albums in this genre. I would say if you really loved "Costello Music," it's worth buying "Here We Stand." If you are new to this band, I suggest buying "Costello Music" first.