The Frank And Walters have been around for longer than most independent Irish bands, having been established in 1990 and underwent a couple of personnel changes. Their career has been consistently average; playing minor festivals and receiving modest chart positions for a few of their single releases, but they have always been favourites among esteemed music critics, and with reason. March has seen the release of their fifth studio album Greenwich Mean Time.
As always with their singles, The Frank and Walters secured an impressive amount of airplay with pioneering single and opening track Indie Love Song, which was released on Valentine’s day in a clever marketing move. The song is a lot more pop-like than many of their previous releases, which sets the tone for what is arguably their most generic sounding album to date. The words “average” and “generic” may come across as negative and critical, however it is a difficult thing to write a pop song that avoids crossing the line of overly commercial and still manages to be catchy. The simplicity of the album is something to be admired, most inevitably in the track That’s Life; a sophisticated artlessness takes over this song in a similar way to many of The Beatles’ earlier efforts. It is interesting to see that their usual brand of moping and nagging melodies are being maintained in the album, but with a less harsh approach and with a little more dust on the lyrics; showing their years which is no surprise given their 22-year long on-and-off existence. Their progressive maturity is most obvious in songs such as Berlin, which bares somewhat of a melancholic undertone, and the incredibly catchy The Parson. Both of these songs are lacking the youthful charm of Indie Love Song, but this does not take away from their individual charms as pensive and grown-up numbers.
The harmony and comfort between the members of the band is inevitable throughout the 12 track album as the vocals and instrumentals mesh together intricately; a symbol of their years’ work together. The consistently average band, have produced another consistently average album filled with beautiful, easy-on-the-ear tunes; a statement to their charmingly simplistic talent and delicate songwriting. While not a potential chart-topper, Greenwich Mean Time is an album worthy of a listen, and will be enjoyed by all who appreciated a decent, non-overproduced album.