THE FRAMES : FITZCARRALDO

  1. Revelate
  2. Angel At My Table
  3. Fitzcarraldo
  4. Evergreen
  5. In This Boat Together
  6. Say It To Me Now
  7. Monument
  8. Giving It All Away
  9. Red Chord
  10. Denounced
  11. Your Face
    Bonus Tracks :
  12. Roger
  13. One Irish Rover (with Liam Ó Maonlaí)
  14. Sworn
  15. Red Chord
  16. Monument

Label : ZTT Records

Release Date : November 1995 / September 15, 2010 (re-issue)

Length : 73:37

Review (AllMusic) : Because "Another Love Song", The Frames’ first album, has traditionally been difficult to find, Fitzcarraldo has been the go-to document for the long-running Dublin band’s early sound. Actually, it’s not all that different from the punchy, emotional rock sound that would define them for over a decade following. Led by the passionate and fearless Glen Hansard, The Frames always remain listenable while liberally pouring out their every embarrassing emotion; the deft violin, cello, and keys that flesh out the songs help prevent too much confessional melodrama. Hansard is a belter, but his earnest vulnerability on songs like “Giving It All Away” draws an empathetic response anyway. “Revelate,” a statement of purpose as deeply felt as the best of U2’s early singles, would justifiably come to be a live fan favorite.

Review (Hot Press) : No, you’re not suffering from deja vu; you have heard and read of Fitzcarraldo before. Indeed, Niall Crumlish reviewed he second long-player from local heroes The Frames D.C. in this very organ just before Christmas last, where he awarded it an impressive 10 on the dice. The album has since been completely remixed by Trevor Horn, hence its subsequent re-release and re-review. Not having been exposed to Fitzcarraldo in its original incarnation, I cannot comment on whether this is an improvement or not. What I can say is that, even after a few listens, I find myself wondering how I managed without it for so long. Opening with the masterful ‘Revelate’, one of the ten best Irish singles ever, it would seem to many that things can only go downhill. Not so! The rest of the LP is chock-full of truly magical moments as The Frames tug relentlessly at your heartstrings during a rollercoaster ride of emotion and power. ‘Angel At My Table’ inhabits that frustrating netherworld between lovers and friends as the object of Glen Hansard’s lust and affection implores him: “Will you be my anchor/When there is no-one around to hold me down?” On the impressive title track, the march-like tattoo of the drum and pulsing bass contrasts with the haunting cello. Meanwhile, Glen’s lyrics are at once deeply personal and universal, a difficult feat in itself, and his delivery is deadly accurate. If I have one minor gripe, it is that, like Mundy, the tracks are a tad epic in their arrangements, but then again, these are big themes and they need space in which to roam. During ‘In This Boat Together’, the languid basslines and gently lolling strings create a rather melancholy atmosphere, perfect for Hansard’s heartfelt emotions to shine forth: “If I had a wish I’d give it straight to you now,” he sings, and you know instinctively that he means it. Scratchy abrasive guitar heralds the start of ‘Monument’, before making way for a full-frontal sonic assault. The only real filler is the moody ‘Giving It All Away’, which is characterised by a Jah Wobble-like dub bassline. ‘Red Chord’ and the closing ‘Your Face’ are achingly delicate, the schmaltzy guitar solo on the latter taking in fairly close to Harry Connick Jnr territory. In all, this album sees The Frames D.C. treading in the same open-hearted honest waters as the likes of David Gray, aeons away from the Celtic rock of ‘The Dancer’. The biggest compliment I can pay this album is that, given time, I can see Fitzcarraldo becoming a very good friend indeed.

Review (Wikipedia) : Fitzcarraldo is the second studio album by The Frames, released under the moniker The Frames DC to avoid confusion with the American band of the same name. Another version of the album would be published in 1996. The album was released on ZTT Records in November 1995. The Frames' line-up for Fitzcarraldo features Glen Hansard on guitar and vocals, Colm Mac Con Iomaire on violin, Graham Downey on bass guitar and keyboards, Dave Odlum on lead guitar, Paul Brennan on drums and Noreen O'Donnell on backing vocals. They also featured Pete Briquette on keyboards & programming, Dee Armstrong on viola and Kevin Murphy on cello. It was recorded at Totally Wired Studios, Dublin by Ivan O'Shea and Tom Skerrit and produced and mixed by Pete Briquette. The title track's name comes from Werner Herzog's 1982 film Fitzcarraldo which frontman Hansard describes as being about a man "pulling a ship over a mountain". Fitzcarraldo was re-issued by ZTT Records on 29 October 1996. The Frames' line-up for Fitzcarraldo features Glen Hansard on guitar and vocals, Colm Mac Con Iomaire on violin, Graham Downey on bass guitar and keyboards, Dave Odlum on lead guitar, Paul Brennan on drums and Noreen O'Donnell on backing vocals. They also featured Pete Briquette on keyboards & programming, Dee Armstrong on viola and Kevin Murphy on cello. Tracks 6-11 were recorded at Totally Wired Studios, Dublin by Ivan O'Shea and Tom Skerrit and produced and mixed by Pete Briquette and are the same as those on the previous release. Tracks 1-5 were produced by Trevor Horn and engineered by Steve Fitzmaurice, except track 1, which was engineered by Tom Elmhurst at Westside (London). These tracks were re-worked for the re-issue and "Roger" was replaced by "Evergreen" and the track order changed. All tracks were mixed by Steve Fitzmaurice.