FRANK: Life By The Hour

frank

Life By The Hour

© 2003 frank (783707791722)

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A melange of rock, blues and intelligent pop from this Brooklyn, NYC-based trio.

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notes

After years of relative dormancy on the rock scene (at least if you ask people on the outside), the world is again looking to New York City for the "rock". The techno drenched club fandango of the past half decade has deflated and when the post millennium ecstasy hangover became a mass plague, there was a need for real instruments played by real musicians... what a concept. Corporate-spawned acts have dominated your eyes and ears, dancing on every magazine edifice and every radio station on the dial, appealing to the lowest common denominator. Mantra, Hypnosis? Perhaps! Although rock is again being heard, the sounds are hackneyed rip offs of your uncle's record collection! Echoing well worn out tunes of the 60's and 70's repackaged with prettier faces and less imaginative names.

Since their inception, frank has tirelessly focused on writing and performing songs that are diverse in texture, but share passion, intensity and intelligence and frank likes to rock.

Scott Porter has been playing in bands in NYC since the 7th grade. Starting in New York's famed music buildings in the west 30's and at open mic nights in New York's East Village, he hasn't stopped since. In past bands he's shared the stage with the Goo Goo Dolls, Live, and God Street Wine, although he likes to think they shared the stage with him.

In January 2001, the determined Porter got the tingle to turn over a new musical leaf - all new stuff - nothing old allowed. Teaming up with longtime friend and drummer Ray Crespo, himself a veteran NYC musician, the moniker-less band began rehearsing "Life By the Hour", Scott's first frank song, which was the first of many to feature Scott and Ray's ever-present, oft haunting, and always powerful harmonizing.

Enter Billy Ziff, fresh from playing in the jam band scene, who added a fresh progressive breath to Scott's Replacements/Clash and Ray's Elvis Costello/Camper Van influences. Billy and Ray immediately locked into the rhythm engine that fuels the bands booming grooves, heard in songs like "Let It Go", "Sit Down" and "Need Some Help".

frank was born, and with fervor the group began an intense creative process that continues to this day, constantly writing, reconsidering and refining their music. The band's inaugural show was at NYC's humble stepping stone, Desmond's Tavern, which was a big crowded sweaty success and pioneered the path to avid performances at some of NYC's premier clubs like Wetlands (RIP) and the Mercury Lounge, as well as mainstays such as Lion's Den and Elbow Room (RIP).

The ball was rolling at a frantic pace for the band, but there was one thing missing - the recording. frank had been using self-produced demos to secure gigs, but the homespun efforts fell short of capturing both the depth of their compositions and the immediacy and "x factor" of their live performance. That is, until April 2003 when the band hooked up with veteran producer Adam Lasus (Clem Snide, Helium, Madder Rose, Juliana Hatfield, Versus, Gigilo Aunts) at his Fireproof Recordings studio in Brooklyn to toil relentlessly and surface with "Life By The Hour" - the full-length record.

frank's music fuses informed, insightful lyrics with musical textures which compared to everyone from Paul Westerberg to the Red Hot Chili Peppers to the REM to the Velvet Underground to Rush. Confused? So are we... so we just say eclectic. Victor Hugo stated "Music expresses what words can never say" and Joey Ramone screamed "let's get nuts".

frank falls somewhere between that musical juxtaposition.

And here we are.

A great band, a great record, a great time for rock in NYC.

And here we come.

reviews

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  • These guys NOT "Half way past their prime"
    author: Bex

    This CD has great sound and harmonies perfect for laying back or driving or energizing yourself on to your next task of the day. Not only do these songs prove worthy of gereral easy listening, but paying attention to the lyrics gives you quite a run for your money--are you living your life by the hour or aren't you? Keep it up, fellas, don't Sit Down just yet, stand up and make us some more music!

  • There is a spot missing under "F" in your CD collection - Fill it with Frank
    author: Zeichner

    Compare them - you can't. A divinely unique trio with intelligent lyric writing that makes you think &, catchy tunes that you find humming even at the most inappropriate of times. In the mood to dance or just kick back with your pack, 'Life By The Hour' is the album you've been waiting for. Music everyone can relate to. Not surprising, Frank's live show exceeds the energy level captured on the disc - go and see them, now. Stop reading and go! Grab it, hear it, dig it!

  • a highly recommended rock and roll record
    author: ari scott

    frank are a rare exception in a city that's drowning in mediocrity in terms of what currently passes for "music" or "entertainment." i want to write more about how amazing their energy is live, and how refreshing it is to witness three distinctly - and equally - charismatic personalities on stage (the effortless coolness of scott, the adorable wackiness of billy, and the raw unbridled energy of ray) but since this review is about the cd, i'll stick to that. overall, it's lightyears ahead of its so-called competition in terms of intelligence and talent. some songs have unpredictable chord progressions ("fool"), some have unpredictable subtle rhythmic changes ("mother gossip"), and some have unpredictable lyrics ("life by the hour"), but despite all of that, it won't be hard to predict that by the end of listening to this cd, you'll be happy you did. and then you'll hit repeat.

  • HOLY SHIT!
    author: PlaceboRed

    Frank is currently the best live band on the New York City circuit. People come expecting your ordinary entertainment and they leave with their secretly dormant love of music at long last revived. This album comes very close to capturing what makes Frank great. Buy it. You will not regret it.

  • road trip album
    author: christian linsey

    "life by the hour" is the perfect soundtrack for a road trip. the album succeeds in capturing frank's live energy but also demonstrates the experience, musicianship and songwriting abilities of scott, billy, and ray. in a digital age where a good album is hard to find, "life by the hour" is a consistent, solid set of songs with a sound and energy that is distinctively frank.

  • Fiery New Release
    author: Seamus H. editor Rolling Stone Magazine

    An exceptional variety of hard rock, funk, alternative, and fusion. Crisp musicianship throughout, with intelligent and thought provoking lyrics. Solid from songs 1 to 14 and possesses that unique quality of seemingly improving with each listen. A must for all true music fans, and a great christmas gift this time of year. Clearly one of the strongest new bands of 2003.

  • Great Songwriting and Lots of Hooks!!
    author: Jerry Smith

    These guys are Smart Rockers from Brooklyn. the songs have hints of the Clash, The Replacements, Rem and INXS. The melodies and guitar/bass hooks really grab you and stay with you. Cant wait to hear the next record!!

  • Its a great CD, one that you can listen to without skipping songs. Love that :)
    author: Ashley
  • Music was awesome - lyrics were super cool
    author: Tracy

    Loved it!!!

  • An amazing record from a great band!!
    author: Joe (Rogers)

    From the driving lines of Rosy, to the haunting guitars of Trouble, to the brilliant harmonies of Fool, Frank's debut record, Life By the Hour, celebrates a full spectrum of musical diversity. With strong arrangments and catchy riffs, the album works as a soundtrack to colorful rock-driven days in NYC.

  • best record i've heard in a long time
    author: joe

    this record is amazing. captures the band's live energy and really presents their multifaceted sound in a rich and engaging fashion. these guys should be signed. as their lead singer says, "viva la frank!"

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