Oh, I get it – the name’s meant to be ironic. Or is it? A rock band that focuses on riffs, power chords and driving rhythms can surely only be described as the real thing, right? In true punk D-I-Y fashion, the sleeve notes announces that The Frauds was “recorded in our apartments, by ourselves� – c’mon, the rock authenticity is bleeding out of these fellows’ noses. What more could you want? Really, what more? Can you tell the difference anymore between the real McCoy and a fraud nowadays? Is there even a discernible difference? And does it matter? Maybe that’s the message behind The Fraud’s nom de plume. No hidden agenda, certainly, in the painfully honest, earthy and straightforward sixteen songs that you will discover on this worthy platter. Just good tunes that, y’know, rock! I suppose if you really needed a handle on The Frauds, the garage revival comes into the equation somewhat but really there’s a touch of Weezer power pop that surfaces here and there, not to mention plain ol’ 70s classic rock. The Frauds mix it up nicely so they never get boring; and so, uneasy geeky power ballads like “Stare� get thrown together with traditional rock fare like “The Church of Seduction & The Republic of Business,� “Radio Wave� and “Believe What I’ve Found� and so on. In the meantime, tracks like the jangly “She’ll Never Tell� and the acoustic “Tattoo You� provide the useful breaks in the pace that keeps things on an even keel throughout. Recommended.
Kevin Mathews
Release date: April 18, 2006
