Frightened Rabbit: Released!

Pedestrian Verse is released, though I've been streaming it for a week. I like it, though the Winter of Mixed Drinks remains my favorite Rabbit release. Paste describes it, stating: "Pedestrian Verse subsequently sounds more complete than the band’s previous efforts. The album is a little less jittery and a bit more streamlined. It’s lighter on the frenetic acoustic strumming and balanced by melodies played by electric guitars like in second single “The Woodpile.” The keyboards, too, play a more prominent role, particularly in the metaphorical (or maybe not?) “Backyard Skulls.”" However, the review is concerned that some of the Rabbit's "restless charm" missed out.

AV Club gives it a solid "A."  While this "sad Scottish band" has been lumped in with other similar groups, FR also has the ability to make the "gloomy anthemic." The album builds on earlier work and album patterns, but the album still shines despite occasional tics. It's exuberant. A great word.

Consequence of Sound also reviews the album as triumphing over flaws.

But Frightened Rabbit’s so-called faults — the band’s self-indulgent lyrics, indie-rock styling, damned catchy choruses — have always been their strengths as well, and the band must know it. It takes a perversely honest musician to admit his own flaws, and as Frightened Rabbit ‘fesses up, we love them more. Would that we could all see as clearly, that we could downplay something as precious as Hutchison’s voice, as he does here, rather than preening. Would that we could find our faults, and in finding, possibly correct them — developing ourselves rather than sinking further into self-indulgence. “There is light but there’s a tunnel to crawl through… / we’ve still got hope so I think we’ll be fine,” Hutchison soothes, birds chirping of spring and healing in the background. Indeed, would that we all had the audacity to call our own master works “pedestrian.”

Oh, a "master word." Finally a top ten album candidate is released!