Frightened Rabbit – 'Pedestrian Verse' review

Frightened Rabbit – 'Pedestrian Verse'

• Rated as: 3/5

For their fourth album, this Selkirk foursome have forgone the joviality of their last record, ‘The Winter of Mixed Drinks’, instead taking a melancholy turn that was evident on their second LP, ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’. ‘Pedestrian Verse’ is a collection of grim tales cloaked in delicate melodies. ‘I am that dickhead in the kitchen giving wine to your best girl’s glass / I am the amateur pornographer,’ sings Scott Hutchison in a beautiful Neil Young-ish lilt on opener ‘Acts of Man’. But as soon as the drums enter, his usual angst-ridden cry rings out. Layers of power riffs and plucked guitar strings create a comforting backing, especially on ‘December’s Traditions’ and ‘Holy’, on both of which Hutchison passionately professes contentment in loneliness. There’s no doubt ‘Pedestrian Verse’ is poignant, but it isn’t a heartbreak record. This is an album for jilted lovers who are finally ready to move on.