When it comes to the actual concept of songwriting, laid back indie-folk quartet Fraser vividly display a uplifting range of mood, style and emotion throughout the entirety of their eagerly awaited debut album, ‘A Garden At The Top Of The Tree, which is due for release on the 15th of March 2010 via Moody Noodle Records.
Written, rewritten and then rewritten again over a three year period by the Scottish/Maltese lead vocalist and frontman Fraser Gregory (The Beangrowers, Rough Trade), ‘A Garden At The Top Of The Tree’ depicts both the joys and the anguishes of coping as a struggling musician amidst an array of complex relationships and heartbreak, dealing with tragic losses of life and fighting to stay optimistic throughout even the darkest of times. Even with Fraser’s lyrically sombre acknowledgements, the debut album in its entirety actually veers more towards highlighting the somehow uplifting, occasionally motivating and often enriching side to trauma and suffering that is commonly disregarded in hard times. Always confidently self-assured that things can only get better, for Fraser there will always be a garden at the top of the tree.
Whilst the album establishes Fraser as a easily-accessible and well-balanced band, there are certain tracks within their debut album that should tick the boxes of those looking for something a little bit more unique too. However, with uptempo lead tracks simply howling out for commercial airplay, mellow ballads that are perfectly-suited for those lazy Sunday afternoons and electronic compositions destined for a spin at the end of a heavy night out, Fraser are unlikely to be pigeonholed as being “solely suitable for the niches”. And there is no shame here. Fraser know they make music that will mainly appeal to a broader audience, and are proud to have their debut album released knowing that it contains a little something for almost everyone to appreciate and enjoy. For more info on fraser please visit www.myspace.com/
Fraser’s debut album ‘A Garden At The Top Of The Tree’ was released just this week (15/03/10) on all major formats.
