English multi-instrumentalist Nick Frater is sounding really chipper on his new album Oh Contraire!, serving up a full course of baroque pop that will go down well with fans of early ELO, Queen in their vaudeville guise, and that foursome from Liverpool. It pays off to be out of step with what is hip and happening and be full-on retro with wall-to-wall Mellotrons, bringing in actual people to play strings, and get Probyn Gregory to work his magic with his French horn.
Frater's knack for crafting infectious melodies has been documented extensively - he must have a secret well to drink from somewhere to be so consistent. Twelve albums in, Oh Contraire! is a collection of tunes that you did not know you needed, but will among your favourite albums this year or any year.
