Capturing FRAUDS in a live setting is a joyous occasion every time. Regardless of how many miles driven or lack of sleep on the road, Chris (Drums/Vocals) & Mikey (Guitar/Vocals) bring theatre and enjoyment to every moment they grace a stage. These qualities somewhat displayed in their 2019 LP With Morning Toast & Jam & Juice.
Slowly pre and post various lockdowns they have dipped their toes into playing new material such as lead single for this outing ‘Copenhagen’. Thankfully we can now hear in full what they were holding onto since recording in early 2020.
FRAUDS signing to Alcopop! was the key in them ending up in Belgium, the land of chocolate, waffles & beer to record with Max Goulding at GAM Studios after a conversation with their labelmates, Belgian noise makers, Raketkanon. This gave Chris & Mikey time and space away from their day-to-day to focus on creating this next outing.
Straight off the bat ‘Opening Banquet’ immediately sounds fuller than their previous work. Mikey’s guitar sounding more dynamic, crisper and heavier. This continues throughout the record and evident on second track ‘Calorie Count’, high and low ends coming through cleanly without cancelling out each other, a brilliant balancing act through recording and mixing.
The pair’s classic swagger kicks in on tracks ‘Put ‘Em Up’ and the aforementioned ‘Copenhagen’. The latter a description of a ‘Scandinavian Promised Land’ which the band had been offered through targeted advertising, the former seemingly about an angry man who can’t ties his shoelaces. Regardless of these varying degrees of the weirder parts of daily life these tracks come loaded with catchy riffs and melodies that fans have been singing along to live in the last couple of years. Both superbly translated to tape with infectious grooves that will catch the listener swaying along to. ‘Your Eyes’ slows the pace but very much delivers the same effect. Chris & Mikey’s personalities are truly shining through their playing and ensuring a continuous connection with the listener.
‘Sweet Martha’ takes a different approach, like a burlesque art track played at a swanky club to entertain the clientele. Fading in and out as you walk past them playing in the bar. What feels like a love song for Martha is really a story of how this hero from Europcar saved them with a rental car catastrophe. Yes, another real world dilemma hilariously told through the medium of guitar music.
Other highlights include ‘Woke Life’, showing Mikey’s strengths in his guitar playing a slightly off kilter riff and Chris’ vocals rhythm and delivery is his best yet, shifting his flow and beats. Quickly followed by ‘Melchett’, a steam train of snare drum flams and a chundering, wavering riff before skipping into a dark surf vibe.
This isn’t an overcomplicated record and neither it should be, their directness with lyrics and humour have always been a strength but they have started to develop their delivery and musicianship and that is clear jump forward. Seeing them live is a must and there is no doubt fans of this double act will be shuffling their feet and dancing to more of these tracks adding to an already quality set list. Regardless of the underlying messages, these two have a special way of connecting to others through their music and hopefully more people will catch on with this release.