The Fratellis were quite a big thing back in 2006/07. At least in the UK. That period of time was one of transition for me as I was moving from primary school into secondary and in the full swing of watching MTV2 in the mornings to see what was going on in the rock music scene. Fratellis came about with ‘Creepin Up the Backstairs’. ‘Henrietta’ followed as the first official release from Costello Music. 11-year-old me thought that was one of the best tracks he’d heard in recent times. Didn’t know when that album was coming, but I knew I had to get it just to hear that song more than however much it appeared on TV. Then ‘Chelsea Dagger’ arrived and blew the walls open. Not particularly for me, never been that a big a fan of it. But its wordless chorus is one you’ll hear at any sporting event or potential drunken night out.

A couple other singles followed. And when ‘Baby Fratelli’ had had its day, it seemed that it would be all until anticipation for the next album got going. So it came as a surprise to me when I saw the video for ‘Ole Black ‘n’ Blue Eyes’ on the TV. I don’t think I ever saw that video played on the air again after that one time I saw it. Maybe the network realised they left it uncensored, the lyric “Just-get-me-fucked eyes” was broadcast as clear as day, and pulled the plug. But even then I can’t remember the track making a huge impression on me after I did the get Costello Music as a present. Or did I buy it myself… Not asking you, it’s hard to remember these things sometimes. It was in my possession at least in 2007. That it was even given a music video and recognised as a single made me revisit the song. Maybe I was missing out on something.

I was, it’s true. ‘Ole Black…’ is the closer on the band’s debut album. Not that the record’s a concept album or anything, but there are plenty of instances where track’s narrators are involved in different situations with women, relaying things they’ve done or said back to the listener. ‘Ole Black…’ is no different, the track concerns the titular character who seems to be down on her luck and the narrator wants to help her out even if he doesn’t really like her that much. But with its slow-rocking acoustic feel and reference to ‘Chelsea Dagger’ the song possesses a real conclusive tone to it. Plus, you gotta love that guitar riff during the outro. That might just be my favourite part of the whole thing. The music video is unlike anything the band were making visually during that time, though once you really understand what’s going on in there you’ll see it actually tells a story with a really heart-warming end.