Although the six-piece indie-rock outfit, White Rabbits, has just emerged into sophomore status, it seems that they may graduate into the mainstream ahead of schedule. Thanks to a little help from their friends.
It’s Frightening can undoubtedly stand on its own as a great rock album, but it surely doesn’t hurt that producing duties were that of Spoon’s Brit Daniel. After peaking the interest of Spoon fans on their last North American tour, White Rabbits are now hitting them between the eyes with a cleaner, deeper and more subdued album. Although this album has a more recognizable sound, it still embraces the driving percussion, layered melodies and pleading vocals that made their debut, Fort Nightly, so great.
Not only the title, but the rattling impact of the opening track "Percussion Gun" sums up the band in the finest, most complete way and steals full attention with forceful but boisterous energy. "They Done Wrong/We Done Wrong" could have been a lost Spoon track with an upbeat tempo but haunting effects and soft, trickling piano. The entire record floats through quirky tracks reminiscent of the noisy fun evoked in Fort Nightly to slower moving, darker melodies that force a higher level of feeling than in the past. The closing "Leave It At The Door" is a stripped down, beautifully simple picture of how White Rabbits have matured into a band that will have old and new fans alike anxiously waiting to see how they reinvent themselves once pushed from Daniel's nest.
White Rabbits are known to deliver one hell of a live show. Catch them on August 20th at Variety Playhouse with The Fiery Furnaces.
Add this song to your mixtape: "Rudie Falls" is a pop-style, upbeat tribute to The Clash, a band in which the Rabbits said they spent a lot of time listening to during the making of It's Frightening.
- Kellie Lakin
Comments