Frightened Rabbit - It's Christmas So We'll Stop

  by Anthony Middleton

published: 10 / 12 / 2008

Label: Fat Cat Records
Format: 7"

intro

Dark and downbeat slice of kitchen-sink realism on Christmas single from Scottish trio Frightened Rabbit, which with a new mix they have released for a second year in a row

There is a great tradition of dark Christmas songs. The Ramones gave us 'Merry Christmas (I don’t want to fight)' but I always loved the Kinks' 'Father Christmas', a self righteous tale of Santa being mugged by poor kids outside a department store. Glasvegas have delved into the genre in both romantic and realistic (We’ll all be singing '---- You' around the tree for years to come.) modes this year. Now Frightened Rabbit bring their bittersweet take on the genre. “We can be best friends with the people we hate,” seems to the best thing they can say about the season of peace and joy. There may be mistletoe and wine in the Yuletide portrayed here; just not as Cliff knew them - rather as the desperate means to salvage some happiness out of desperate existences. Singer Scott Hutchison growls his way through a low key opening which builds through an elaborate (nearly Spectoresque) production which has taken the band’s original song (first released a year ago) and added just about every seasonal musical cliche available. A choir, brass and wind section are all here and, of course, it is a way over-egged plum duff. Reindeer bells appear to have been left off. I think. Musically, this gallops along; joyous and uplifting, holding back enough so when all the proverbial bells and whistles are brought out they have full effect. This in contrast to the observation that for many people, Christmas is simply a brief break in hostilities and normal dreary old life will quickly resume. Simply a reminder about the mediocrity and failure of the other 364 days. There is a comparison to be made with 'Fairytale of New York' here, in the contradiction between the expectation and reality of life. And while it may not reach the sublime heights of that song, not many could. Merry Christmas Yer Arse!

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