The Frames

Trekking to the City that Never Sleeps

American Adventures

One thing that I miss about Italy is being able to jump on a train and go somewhere. Sure, I can still do that here (kind of), wandering about Boston, but I miss those days of looking to my friends and saying, “Let’s go to Cortona this weekend.”

After much planning, I’m headed to New York City for the third time in my life (criminal). Sadly, I’ll only be in the City for one day, but it will be for an amazing reason.

My favorite entirely living band, The Frames, is on tour for their 20th anniversary. As they don’t have a Boston stop, I convinced a couple of friends to head into New York with me. It really didn’t take too much arm twisting.

So, to New York City we are headed.

 

What’s on the Turntable? Vol. II

What's On the Turntable?

The other day I went on a trip to my local record shops, which was a welcome journey. While there, I picked up a new CD! Hurray! I’ve been dying for new music.
The CD I got is Burn the Maps by The Frames. It’s a strange, unpredictable little album by the Irish rockers. The album opens with “Happy,” a mostly instrumental tune with the vocals mixed to the background. Burn the Maps definitely takes at least two listens to get used to, but I’ve noticed that a lot of really good albums do (Tommy, Arthur, etc).

“Fake” is a poppy little number, perhaps disposable but its the most readily accessible to the usual pop fan.

There’s plenty to like about the album–soaring violins, Glen Hansard’s rough vocals, and the ability of the album to transport you to a completely different place.

The album is not one that I would recommend starting out with if you’ve never listened to The Frames before. Try Set List first.

A good, live version of their song “Keepsake.”