THE Scots have produced a few special bands over the years.The Beta Band, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Orange Juice, Mogwai and, to some extent, Franz Ferdinand have offered some aural pleasure in the past.Frightened Rabbit are an exciting and critically acclaimed Scottish export and saw their popularity explode into life following the release of The Midnight Organ Fight – an intense folk-rock classic.Its follow up, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, is a more polished affair that musically expands on their previous efforts.It’s a lot bigger and heavier and still has the witty, archetypical Scottish lyrics that make Frightened Rabbit such an enjoyable listen.While it’s great they’re pushing out all the boundaries, the Winter of Mixed Drinks isn’t as charming or luscious as its predecessor, despite boasting one of their most sellable tracks yet in the form of Nothing Like You, which should see the band gaining new fans and some well deserved media exposure.Swim Until You Can’t See Land is a jolly clap-along bar shanty while Living In Colour is a punchy, vibrant number.Despite the positive points, Not Miserable touches on embarrassing U2/Coldplay/Elbow turgid status, strings ‘n’ all, and Foot Shooter feels thick, isolated and cold.There isn’t enough variety in this album for it to be a mainstay in the record player but perhaps it’s a slow burner.I’m not sure about the mixed drinks, but it’s definitely an album that gives the listener mixed feelings.It was always going to be difficult for a band to follow up a classic and they’ve given it a good go, but they’re definitely one of the best Scottish bands out there.For every dirge band like Biffy Clyro, thank God there’s a Frightened Rabbit.
Watch Frightened Rabbit's quirky video for Nothing Like You:
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