FrYars 'Dark Young Hearts' (Bandstocks) Released 21/09/09

Rarely is title so perfect for a release. Yet 'Dark Young Hearts' perfectly sums up the bizarre song writing of frYars. A one man effort (who takes a band live), its no pun to call frYars the Rasputin of pop music scene. Bizarre lyrics over-set slightly warped pop tunes. Taking the lullaby chorus of 'The Ides' (no, not a typo) of “You should have died that very night”sets a benchmark of the strangeness of what is afoot here.

It a diverse affair as well. As cabaret as The Dresden Dolls - and yet at times as anthemic as the better-end of Ian Brown, like a confused transexual this release doesn't really know where it wants to place itself but seems just happy to be around. Quite frankly that's half the appeal though.

These are surely not the most conventional pop songs you'll ever hear, so don't expect an airing on The Hits any time soon. At times there's a little contrivance in the difficult lyrics. But mostly, its a good piece of art pop fun.

If Patrick Wolf is your bag and if you try to emulate a Byronesque 18th century libertine, you an frYars may well be kindred spirits. An intriguing release that won't be the most shouted about, but is worth capturing before it escapes back into the obscurity from which it came.