The Frames
Burn the Maps
For years, Ireland’s The Frames have been hailed as the next big thing, but the group–more Pixies than Pogues–hasn’t yet left much of a mark on this side of the Atlantic. That may change with its debut on the high-profile Anti- label. “Burn the Maps” is more ambitious and bigger sounding than past Frames’ albums, with songs such as “Finally,” “Dream Awake” and “Keepsake” making the most of a linear loud/soft dynamic–the songs inevitably start out hushed and simple before exploding as they reach their denouement. Except on more straight-forward alt-rock songs like “Fake,” singer Glen Hansard, once the band’s charismatic focus, seems less essential to the equation here, hushed and whispery in service of the grander arrangements.
Best track: “Dream Awake,” which after a protracted intro ends in a barrage of propulsive drums, strings and chiming guitars before settling down again for its final seconds.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale ([email protected]) and Kris Karnopp ([email protected])