Product Description
RELEASE DATE: JUNE 9TH 2023
‘Fitzcarraldo’ is the second studio album by The Frames, released in 1995. The album
marked a significant departure from the band's earlier work, with a more experimental sound that blended rock, folk, and experimental elements.
Last released on vinyl over 20 years ago, this album takes its name from the Werner Herzog
film of the same name; a story of a man who attempts to ‘pull a ship over a mountain’ and
build an opera house in the Amazon jungle. This theme of ambition and perseverance in the
face of adversity runs throughout the album, as frontman Glen Hansard explores themes of love, loss, and the human experience.
The album opens with the powerful and emotive track ‘Revelate’, which sets the tone for
the rest of the album with its soaring vocals and driving energy. From there, the album takes
the listener on a journey through a diverse range of sounds and emotions, from the
reflective tone of ‘Say It To Me Now’, to the melancholic balladry standout track
‘Fitzcarraldo’. The epic nine-minute track, which features lush instrumentation, intricate
guitar work and strings by Colm Mac Con Iomaire, is a tribute to the film of the same name
and touches upon themes of ambition and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Overall, ‘Fitzcarraldo’ is a powerful and deeply personal album that showcases The Frames
at their most ambitious and experimental. It heralds the beginning of the bands journey in a
different direction from their previous release ‘Another Love Song’. With its diverse range
of sounds and emotions, the album remains a fan favourite and a landmark in the Irish rock canon.
