Here We Stand [Import]

The Fratellis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 6, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal Int'l
• ASIN: B001KOHRBU
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #591,499 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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

UK deluxe two disc (CD + NTSC/Region 0 DVD) edition of the Scottish pop band's sophomore album featuring two bonus tracks ('Jesus Stole My Baby' and 'Moriarty's Last Stand') plus a bonus DVD that includes a 20 minute documentary of the band on the road in America, a full length show recorded in San Francisco, tracks recorded live at Abbey Road and two promo videos. Here We Stand represents a huge step up for the Glasgow boys, full of anthemic sing alongs and bursting with a new found confidence, it already has The Sun proclaiming that the album is a "Modern British Rock classic". Universal.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 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

This review is from: Here We Stand (Audio CD)

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.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but not as strong as the debut album, June 11, 2008

By 

Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Here We Stand (Audio CD)

The Fratellis rose quickly to fame in their native UK (they hail from Scotland) with their astounding debut 2006 album "Costello Music", which was released in Spring, 2007 here in the US. That album boosted not 1, not 2, not 3, but an astonishing 6 singles in the UK. I absolutely loved that album, and eagerly picked up the eagerly-awaited new album.

"Here We Stand" (11 tracks, 48 min.) boosts the same energy as the debut album but one thing that immediately is striking is that the songs are much longer than on the debut album (which featured 13 songs in a mere 41 min.). The album starts off with a great "My Friend Jack", followed by "A Heady Tale" (2nd UK single). "Mistress Mabel" (1st UK single) is another highlight. Other highlights for me include the riff-heavy "Tell Me a Lie", and the Green Day-sounding "Lupe Brown". The closer "Milk and Money" sums up the album quite nicely, with a piano intro, then crashing in with guitars.

In all, "Here We Stand" is a nice album, but long story short, it's not as catchy or good, period, as "Costello Music". I saw the Fratellis on their "Costello Music" tour last year at Coachella, and they were outstanding. They will be at the Monolith festival this coming September, which I will be attending, and I can't wait to see how the songs from "Here We Stand" will stand up live.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Send in the clowns!, June 12, 2008

By 

Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Here We Stand (Audio CD)

Scottish trio The fratellis follow up their million selling debut "Costello music" with a sleek, less abrasive sophomore disc, "Here we stand". While nothing here quite matches "Whistle for the choir" or "Chelsea dagger" (they seem a wee bit restrained), the lads still put up a great show.

Lead off single "Mistress Mabel" is an Elton John-style piano rocker. It is nice, but I feel there are better songs on the album that could have been selected; the catchy, sunny "Look out sunshine" or the beautiful retro sounding "Babydoll" (jangly guitars and nice harmonies). Also sounding retro is the swinging "Lupe Brown".

"Tell me a lie" is a gritty Blues/Rocker with a buzzing bassline, similar to what Jack and Meg White would do, while "Acid jazz singer" reminds me a wee bit of "Whistle for the choir". The UK edition includes "Jesus stole my baby", a driving rocker with lyrics about his girlfriend abandoning him for religion (I love the harmonica solo). "A heady tale" is a jaunty song with interesting tempo shifts.

Closing is the beautiful piano ballad "Milk and money", gentle and lulling, with an upbeat swinging tempo shift midway through for a lovely guitar/harmony coda. A fitting way to end this fun filled CD.