This page includes reviews of demo releases from Frame of Mind over the years. For copies of the CD's please email fishbiscuits25@hotmail.com or call 07791585863 / 07871643165.

Frame of Mind’s latest offering might contain the odd smattering of distorted guitar, but hard-edged this most certainly isn’t, more the kind of MOR pop that makes Counting Crows sound like Lightning Bolt. Of its ilk however, it isn’t bad at all. They’re all musically adept and know exactly what’s required in composing a stadium-filler rock ballad. The problem is that it’s just so downright inoffensive and at times rather melodramatic. With its boy band vocals it could almost be Savage Garden if there wasn’t quite as much attention paid to the guitars which to their credit, are at least fairly intricate. There’s oodles of commercial potential here but less edge than a sphere which is perhaps more of a criticism of the record industry than anything else.

3/5.

Frame Of Mind do dish up a superior version of classic guitar pop which is now flattered with the general title of “indie”. No doubt due to the re-drawing of boundaries by acts like Oasis. In truth , “Better Life” is a fine, jolly jangle that pays homage to the rockier and harmonious triumphs of Del Amitri. “Attitude” is a great number with slick, airey rock phrases, picked with an electric guitar over a flighty bass line. The vocal lines and harmonies are very well arranged and articulated. Simple stuff that flies at an impressive altitude. “Black & White” and “Drowning” carry on with more of the same, but with just a notch less verve. “Show”, like the tracks preceding exudes the right balance of good songwriting and great vocals. Frame of Mind are potentially bigger than this recording. Confined by the limits of their own production, the recordings are clear and well balanced. “Attitude” shows the most opportunity – the band shine when things are stripped. But these are really just niggles, as Frame Of Mind, musically are certainly upping their own stakes at least.

4/5.

This is another MOR pop offering. But this definitely sounds like Darius or something like it. It’s the pop, acoustic, singer / songwriter type of stuff that has a dash of Wet Wet Wet and the flavouring of any modern boy band. Frame of Mind are certainly mainstream but in all honesty they’re more than good enough to compete and even better than , the multi-million pound efforts of each weeks chart releases.

“Darkening Daylight” features a jangly Smiths style guitar, but the whole mix is slightly feeble. But again the song is actually really good and I’ll say again, better than Blue. “On My Mind” is a little bit darker but has more of the right moves – top 10 potential for sure. Maybe this is the new Savage Garden ? But for all their weaknesses this is a collection of well written songs with the genuine reassurance that the performers are also the writers.

4/5.