We Need Medicine is already the third album by the Scottish XL rockers, who broke through with the mega hit Chelsea Dagger (2006). They will always remain 'that band from that one song', but it is not the case that the rest of their material contrasts with their debut single. On the previous album, the Fratellis already proved that they have mastered the making of grotesque accompanying material.
We Need Medicine is another record that easily conjures up images of a steaming crowd on a festival meadow or stadium. The song Jeannie Nitro for example. We start with a bass drum that indicates a four-quarter time. And look: the audience is already clapping with that. Then a rhythm guitar, also exactly in time. Jon Lawler's compelling vocals work very cleverly towards the chorus melodically. The hall is about to burst, but is holding back for a while. And then, after one minute, there is the chorus. The hall explodes and sings lustily. After the chorus there is some rest again and we are waiting for the next highlight, the guitar solo. That's how the hooks and dynamics addict Fratellis do it and they should continue to do so for a long time to come. (HF)more
