2010 has been a good year
for music so far, not least because Frightened Rabbit have released their third studio album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, their first since they found success in 2008’s
Midnight Organ Fright. Since then, they have garnered
more and more praise and attention from the media, with the new album justifying that
attention. It is a strong, confident record with some very fine moments - no third album jitters from this band.

For those that don’t know, Frightened Rabbit are a band hailing
from Selkirk, Scotland, who play indie rock, with what I would argue are folk-ish
tendencies. The new album was
written in a small fishing village in Fife, Scotland - and to me it shows. There
is a sense of isolation that comes across in some of the lyrics. Not to mention the numerous nautical and oceanic references.

The first thing that is clear
from the outset is that the more 'folky' sensibilities, at least in
terms of sound, are being left behind. This is definitely a rockier sounding
record; a sophisticated one I would add. The sound is much larger and ambitious
than their previous albums. This is an album that would be at home in stadiums
and arenas. I like the larger sound, it gives added power and emotion to a
number of the songs, lifting them up and making them better for it. One clear
highlight is the guitar work, which throughout the record goes from understated
to loud and jangly when called for, complementing the vocals perfectly.

Another great feature of the
album, and the band in general, are the vocals. I love a good vocalist, and
Scott Hutchinson has a great, unique voice. It is also quite dextrous,
which I think can be heard throughout the album. It can power above the
instrumentation, or it can melt into the mix. This is also arguably a more
upbeat album than previous endeavours. Though up-tempo may be a better
description, the lyrics are not necessarily full of cherry optimism, but the sound
is grand and majestic enough to mask this.

I would argue that this album
finds Frightened Rabbit at a creative peak. It is an album which has some really supreme
moments. And when the chorus starts to rise and the rhythm starts to kick in,
it is hard to not get carried away with it all. There are a few minor faults I
have with the album, but they are only minor. For example, whilst I love the
size and ambitiousness of the album, I do sometimes find it to be too glossy,
too produced; that rawness has gone. But with that comes confidence, and
this is a band brimming full of it.

Review Score: 8.5/10