Customer Reviews

The Cost

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There is no question that the Frames are a quality band. The problem in the past has been that they frequently release albums that do not represent their best work. I first learned of them through a truly great album by the title FITZCARRALDO (named for the Werner Herzog film about an Irishman named Fitzgerald--Fitzcarraldo was how the locals transformed it--who had the insane dream of building an opera house in the middle of the Amazon). After several albums either somewhat or considerably below the high standards set by FITZCARRALDO, they have released a new album, THE COST, that is very nearly as great as that one. Truth be told, there is very little to separate the two in quality. I think the earlier album has a bit more of an edge. So may prefer the slightly softer contours of this newer album. But I will insist that anyone who loves this album will love equally the other, while fans of the earlier album will be delighted to find the band completely back in form. What is amazing is that it took them so long. FITZCARRALDO was released in 1996, while this one is a 2007 effort. Whatever the cause of their return, I am ecstatic that they are back.

I don't want to get into the debate about whether The Frames or U2 is the better back. Both are Irish, which is what invites the comparison. I will say that I rarely listen to U2, while I have frequently listened to one or another Frames album. I personally far prefer Glen Hansard as a vocalist to Bono. While Hansard lacks Bono's range and power, he has a subtlety and soulfulness that Bono lacks. He possesses some of the soulfulness of the greatest of all Irish rock vocalists, Van Morrison, though I wouldn't make the silly claim that he is on Morrison's level as a singer (for that matter, who is?).

The word on the Frames is that they are a mediocre studio band but an astonishing live band (I unfortunately have never heard them live), a distinction they hold with other great live acts. The Feelies, for instance, was one of the best bands in the world on a stage, but never recorded an album that matched their energy onstage (I did manage to see them live and can vouch for the excellence as a live act). The strategy on this album was to record the songs in very little time in the studio, hopefully to maintain some of the power of their stage performances. Whatever the reason, this isn't at all the same band that sometimes can sound a tad bland in a studio recording. The result is a great disc that might remind some of the Tindersticks at their best, but with far more emotion than that band ever exuded. And while there is some great playing on the recording, the engineers keep Hansard's incredible voice front and center.

This is a disc of many highpoints, but for me the best part might be the back-to-back gems "Sad Songs," which sounds like it could be a Top Forty hit, and the title track "The Cost." The former driven by wonderful hooks and infectious melodies, one of those songs that is so lovely that you love it almost on the first listen. "The Cost" is far more minimalistic, almost a duet between distorted guitar and Hansard, with just enough percussion to remind you that the drummer is still there. The song, like other cuts on the album, could easily slip over into bathos, but they keep the touch just right. Another cut I keep going back to is the opening one, "Song for Someone," but I love listening to the way that Hansard sings the chorus of the next cut, "Falling Slowly," nearly as much. But the next song, "People Get Ready," might be, if I were pressed to acknowledge a favorite, the one I like most on the disc. But there really are no bad cuts on the album, making it one of those albums you listen to repeatedly with tremendous joy.

While the Frames have not always been this good on record, they have been at least this good once before. Maybe they have turned a corner and this represents what they will do from here on out. But even if this is a one-time thing, this is a disc that anyone who loves great indie rock needs to own. Both THE COST and FITZCARRALDO belong in any decent musical library.

Dearly loved and appreciated in their native Ireland and huge in the Czech Republic (interestingly enough), The Frames haven't quite managed to achieve that same level of success elsewhere. Nevertheless, the band continue to box on, crafting one stirring, richly melodic album after another, for a relatively small but fiercely devoted audience. The Cost is their ninth, and quite possibly the most conventional of any record in The Frames back-catalogue. Where that might mean creative death for some bands, for The Frames it only serves to spotlight the groups strengths. Having reined in the experimental urges and filed down the harder edges that tainted 2005's otherwise good `Burn The Maps', it's pleasing to hear that The Frames have lost none of their trademark intensity in the process. The ten songs on The Cost, as a result, hang together beautifully, in what is probably their most focused, consistent and downright enjoyable set of songs to date.

There are frequent moments of exhilarating beauty here (especially when Colm Mac Con Iomaire's soaring violin enters the fray). Then there's frontman Glen Hansard's voice, which remains one of the most exhilarating in rock music. Hansard is a vocalist capable of both quiet, contemplative soul-searching and visceral, gut-wrenching catharsis. He never screams, or whines, or grates, he just sings brilliantly and affectingly - like his life depends on it. For all we know it does, on The Cost he seems to chisel heartfelt yearning into every lyric. On the rousing, achingly beautiful `Falling Slowly' Hansard sings "take this sinking boat.. and point it home.. we've still got time" It's a lyric that may not read all that impressively on paper, but in the lead-singer's hands such words become imbued with a ragged glory, and a fiery, down but-not-out sense of hope. This song, like several others on The Cost, builds to a thrilling climax, with sumptuous orchestration intertwining with Hansard's impassioned, world-weary delivery. As if to add balance, other tunes on The Cost are content just to simmer, without needing to come to the boil. Crucially, these tracks are no less riveting than the more anthemic, climactic ones, and therein lies the key to this albums success - a sustained beauty and intensity throughout.

Dripping with gorgeous melancholy and raw elegance, The Cost may be The Frames most compelling creation yet.

Like this? Try>
Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - The Swell Season
The Frames - Dance The Devil
Damien Rice - 9

Never haveing heard of The Frames, I read a very good review of "The Cost" and ordered it. I am so glad I did. I put it in my cd player 2 weeks ago and I've listened to the whole cd about 10 times. If you buy music to listen to all of the songs on the cd, you'll especially like this one as EVERY song is great. As I said above, don't pass this one up. You will be forever gratefull that you got it!

Dearly loved and appreciated in their native Ireland and huge in the Czech Republic (interestingly enough), The Frames haven't quite managed to achieve that same level of success elsewhere. Nevertheless, the band continue to box on, crafting one stirring, richly melodic album after another, for a relatively small but fiercely devoted audience. The Cost is their ninth, and it's quite possibly the most conventional of any record in The Frames back-catalogue. Where that might mean creative death for some bands, for The Frames it only serves to spotlight the groups strengths. Having reined in the experimental urges and filed down the harder edges that tainted 2005's otherwise good `Burn The Maps', it's pleasing to hear that The Frames have lost none of their trademark intensity in the process. The ten songs on The Cost, as a result, hang together beautifully, in what is probably their most focused, consistent and downright enjoyable set of songs to date.

There are frequent moments of exhilarating beauty here (especially when Colm Mac Con Iomaire's soaring violin enters the fray). Then there's frontman Glen Hansard's voice, which remains one of the most exhilarating in rock music. Hansard is a vocalist capable of both quiet, contemplative soul-searching and visceral, gut-wrenching catharsis. He never screams, or whines, or grates, he just sings brilliantly and affectingly - like his life depends on it. For all we know it does, on The Cost he seems to chisel heartfelt yearning into every lyric. On the rousing, achingly beautiful `Falling Slowly' Hansard sings "take this sinking boat.. and point it home.. we've still got time" It's a lyric that may not read all that impressively on paper, but in the lead-singer's hands such words become imbued with a ragged glory, and a fiery, down but-not-out sense of hope. This song, like several others on The Cost, builds to a thrilling climax, with sumptuous orchestration intertwining with Hansard's impassioned, world-weary delivery. As if to add balance, other tunes like `People Get Ready' are content just to simmer, without needing to come to the boil. Crucially, these tracks are no less riveting than the more anthemic, climactic ones, and therein lies the key to this albums success - a sustained beauty and intensity throughout.

Dripping with gorgeous melancholy and raw elegance, The Cost may be The Frames most compelling creation yet.

Like this? Try>
Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - The Swell Season
The Frames - Dance The Devil
Damien Rice - 9

I am a recent convert to The Frames, somehow i missed out on them for the last 10 years or so. I saw the movie "Once" earlier this week, and tonight saw their live performance at the Bumbershoot music festival in Seattle. They are amazing, the entire band (i love an electric violin...), but for me it's Glen Hansard's voice makes the band amazing. I cried during the movie, and if I wasn't so happy to be there i would have cried during the performance. This is an amazing album, it's worth "the cost".

The Cost
I find this to be the best album I've come across since The Fray How To Save A Life "How Save a Life". If you love the Fray and Coldplay or Left Outlet, you'll love this album. I can't say the sound of the music of each of these groups is comparable, but the FEEL of the music of each of these groups is comparable. You should definitely buy this album. It certainly is worth the money. It's a very emotional and moving sound.

I love the sound of this album, but after buying it, too many of the songs just sounded the same. The vocals are unique but the album drags after a while. It dropped to the bottom of our play list rather quickly.

I bought the MP3 album of this cd and only expected amazement as I loved the film Once.

This album was immediately brought to my top 20 favorite albums of all time. I understand that doesn't sound good, but I have so much music it's unbelievable. It would probably rank at a higher level to someone who doesn't have over 10,000 songs in his/her collection.

If you enjoyed the film Once, you will find that these simply are more advance versions of some of the songs. That is, some songs have been re-recorded with a full band, not just piano and guitar. This is not a negative aspect to the cd. It's ONLY positive.

I love it. SOOOOOOOOOOO much.

A must have for a lover of Once... which should be everyone, because Once was amazing. : )

Glen Hansard definitely knows how to write good lyrics. Musically the album was more monotonous than I expected it to be. But the album has a very well carved tone that does not change from start to finish. Even the songs previously featured in Hansard-Irglova's "The Swell Season" are re-arranged to fit the album well. My favorite song is probably is "Sad Songs", a very simple and beautiful song that moves you, but does it quietly. This is my first Frames album, so cannot compare it to the rest, but I am pleased with my purchase :)

I'll keep this short and sweet. I love the album. If you're one of those people who requires a few listens let it sink it you might be surprised that a listen or two is all it takes.

My favorite songs on this album are: Song for Someone, Falling Slowly, People Get Ready, Rise, and True.

Not to say I don't like the other songs. I do except for possibly Sad Songs which for some reason I just can't get into.

Understanding that music is subjective I think you'll like this album if you like artists like Radiohead.