At what point between┬áChelsea Dagger and now did The Fratellis lose it? A change of sound for the band has resulted in a mish mash of all the acts that have appeared in the charts over the last twenty years, and not in a good way. ÔÇÿWe Need MedicineÔÇÖ, third album and comeback after a five-year hiatus for the Scottish trio opens with ÔÇÿHalloween BluesÔÇÖ. A promising intro brings bluesy-Seasick Steve vibes to your ears before an abrupt change in tone sends you straight back to the late 80ÔÇÖs with an uncanny resemblance to George MichaelÔÇÖs ÔÇÿFaithÔÇÖ.

If the first track wasnÔÇÖt tumultuous enough for you, then the move between track two ÔÇÿThis Old Ghost TownÔÇÖ (ÔÇÿBrown Eyed GirlÔÇÖ with a slight spring its step) and track three ÔÇÿSheÔÇÖs Not Gone Yet But SheÔÇÖs LeavingÔÇÖ (could have been ripped straight from ÔÇÿFavourite Worst NightmareÔÇÖ) leaves you questioning what they could come up with next. The answer to that question is a bunch of songs that wouldnÔÇÖt sound out of place at a high-school dance in the 50s. Title track ÔÇÿWe Need MedicineÔÇÖ provides the record with not much more than a slightly below average name; musically, better things could be found on ‘NOW! 48’.

ÔÇÿUntil She Saves My SoulÔÇÖ ensures the album ends on a high note, but by this point itÔÇÖs hard not to notice the repetitive nature of the bandÔÇÖs come-back attempt. Individually, the tracks all have their merits, together; you canÔÇÖt help but wonder just what The Fratellis were thinking.

Charlie Mock