State Hospital EP – Frightened Rabbit

Released 25/09/12

Frightened Rabbit are slowly playing their way into the mainstream music listeners’ consciousness. Three studio albums later since the Selkirk band formed in 2003 their latest EP has broadened their appeal while paying some fan service with tracks that have an earlier Frightened Rabbit sound. The title track ’State Hospital’ is the only song on the EP that will feature on the upcoming 2013 album, it demonstrates an evolution of the bands instrumental sound while keeping lead singers Scott Hutchison’s aching Scottish brogue and his well-crafted and thought provoking lyrics. It is also less of a personal expression found frequently in previous albums and more an attempt to tell heart-breaking story. ‘State Hospital’ is a reassuring song to anyone who may have been worried by the bands recent move to Atlantic Records and is a great ambassador for the new album.

The EP introduces four other new songs to the growing Frightened Rabbit catalogue (and none are remixes or acoustic versions!). They have a more established Frightened Rabbit character to them with the exception of ‘Wedding Gloves’ featuring the dulcet tones of Aidan Moffat of Arab Strap fame, which has a great blend of the two artists distinct sounds. ‘Boxing Night’ could have fitted nicely into Midnight Organ Fight and it’s good to know the bands success hasn’t meant they’ve lost their ability to communicate pain so poetically. ‘Home From War’ and ‘Off’ again sing with the older Frightened Rabbit sensibilities. They round off the release and insure you get your moneys worth if you do decide to buy it.

The EP also fits into the graph of production steadily increasing with releases in quality however not quite reaching the zenith of seeing the band live.  If you haven’t already now is great time to start listening to Frightened Rabbit and this EP is a great way to get excited about the fourth studio album.

You can listen to the whole EP here on Frightened Rabbits Official Sound Cloud: http://soundcloud.com/frightened-rabbit/sets/state-hosptial-ep-premiere/ or buy it from iTunes now.

Best way to listen: With good headphones, turned up and on a journey, people watching from the window.

You will like this band if you like: Admiral Fallow, Mumford and Sons, Twin Atlantic, The National.

A good introductory song: The Modern Leper – Midnight Organ Fight

A link to the music video for State Hospital: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJb4uNi1VwU