Hollywood
The song that ties the thematic idea of the album together. The lyrics were inspired by old Hollywood. I love it. There's even bells in this one.
Vanity Kills
This song started it all. Again it sums us up. I am singing a whole register lower because Lou's voice is naturally higher. I enjoyed it.
Time
We wrote this over the net. I was in Brisbane - grim place. We had two days off and I stayed in my hotel room. I sent it to Lou and got it back with words the next day.
The Black Roses
Someone said this is spooky and I guess that sums it up. The Gospel Truth choir and an electric sitar are on this one. It would be great to do a show with everyone live.
Little Sister
I love New Orleans - the food and music are amazing. You get full bands busking on the streets and there is a real darkness to it. We wanted a bit of that in it.
Nevada
I got Mick Hook from Belle And Sebastian to do the string and brass arrangements. He wasn't given any direction and went to town on it. It's like an old Hollywood score.
Reste Avec Moi
This has a cinematic feel. That sounds really pretentious.It's dark and we got some kettle drums in. Kitchen sink music!
I Would Send You Roses
Probably the odd one out as it isn't dark but it was too good to
leave out. The Fratellis did a couple of things with Roger Daltrey and he said that we should work together. This was the first song I did for that. He ended uptouring with The Who so I used it for this. It's as minimal as this record gets.
Like A Full Moon
This song is also really filmic. Our manager has ambitions for it to be in a Tarantino movie - he is cynical that way. It has the best guitar solo I have ever played and some dark lyrics.
Begging Bowl Blues
There are no vocals from Lou on here. I wrote the song a while ago and it didn't suit her. It's a waltz, but quite jaunty. I had the old English string quartet in mind.