On how it’s hard to listen to Frightened Rabbit

If you’d asked me my favorite band back in 2017, I’d have probably replied Frightened Rabbit. (Or maybe Drive-By Truckers.)

But following the suicide of leader Scott Hutchison in 2018, I found it hard to listen to their work.

If you don’t know Frightened Rabbit, think of a miserablist Arcade Fire, purveyors of anthemic indie rock that was too openly depressing to achieve true popularity, despite a scrappy, surging sound that brings to mind the word “hopeful” even though the lyrics were anything but.

While Frightened Rabbit songs cover many topics, many songs are about depression, addiction, heartbreak, and suicide.

And suicide.

It is these songs that make the discography so troubling to revisit: “Floating in the Forth,” “Swim Until You Can’t See Land,” “Man/Bag of Sand,” “Late March, Death March,” “Dead Now,” “Nitrous Gas,” “Death Dream,” “An Otherwise Disappointing Life.”

But beyond the songs that are explicitly about suicide—there are a staggering number about death and depression and self-loathing.

While Scott Hutchison was alive, listening to these songs felt empowering—it was like talking to someone who’d struggled with darkness, but seen enough hope in the world to choose life over death.

But now? The songs here are now these awful predictions. I’m reminded of a line from Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review of Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged album.

If In Utero is a suicide note, MTV Unplugged in New York is a message from beyond the grave, a summation of Kurt Cobain’s talents and pain so fascinating, it’s hard to listen to repeatedly.

It’s the same with Frightened Rabbit’s work—these songs are hard to listen to. I took a recent tour through their discography after more than a year’s distance. I still love these songs…but I need to hold them at arm’s length.