Jon Fratelli on band's new album

May 4 2008 Edited By Billy Sloan And Mickey Mcmonagle

SCORCHING rockers The Fratellis are back - and giving Email the lowdown on their stunning second album.

The long-awaited Here We Stand is out on June 9 and frontman Jon Fratelli talked us through it track by track.

The record - the follow-up to smash-hit Costello Music - was delayed after the producer lined up to mix it backed out.

The band - Jon, Baz and Mince Fratelli -received news of the letdown while in the studio celebrating thealbum's completion with Email.

Jon said: "You were with us on Friday and it was meant to be mixed on Monday. We got the call an hour after you left.

"I used that time to write a new song whichis now on the album, so in away it was a good thing. I'm so proud ofthis album - it is the kind of record I like to listen to, veryeclectic.

"We are obsessed with our idols, bands like Led Zep and Pink Floyd, and want to be as good as them."

Fans looked confused at the first outing forthe new songs - at Glasgow's QMU in February - but they are going downa storm on their current mini-tour.

Jon said: "I'm surprised how well people are reacting.

"At the QMU there were so many puzzled faces in the crowd. We almost felt we had done something wrong.

"But I remember playing Chelsea Dagger to people before we released anything and they didn't know what to do with it."

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HERE's Jon's track-by-track guide to Here We Stand.

My Friend John

The most schizophrenic song ever written. This squeezes a lot into a really small space, which is my theory for a lot of songwriting - never have a dull moment.

It starts with at least 10 overdubbed handclaps and really crazy bongos, which seemed a cool way to start a record.

A Heady Tale

There is a lot of piano on the album and this started it. I wrote it on a video shoot in the States and could not wait to get home to the piano.

It's probably my favourite song on the album and people really like it live. I think it will be huge and it had a big influence on the rest of the record. It let me see where the album could go.

Shameless

Lyrically it sums us up - the title alone does that. There are some great lines in there, lyrics I am quite proud of. It is about looking round and seeing that all the other bands are 19. We have 10 years on them.

Look Out Sunshine

This may have been one of the last ones I wrote. If Neil Diamond had been in Oasis this is what they might have sounded like.

Straggler's Moon

Without the delay, the album would not have had this track, which is one of my favourites. It's a funny one - it's not a single but you want to listen to it over and over.

Mistress Mabel

The first single, it has a lot of little ideas crammed into a small space.

Lyric-wise it's the only song that is total nonsense.

I started with the little keyboard synth part that runs all the way through it, which is weird as it's the only song I have written that came from a musical idea.

Usually I sit writing by strumming the guitar rather than building from a little idea.

Jesus Stole My Baby

My mum will love this one - it's a real Fratellis song title. I wrote it about four years ago and always loved it but it never struck me right.

It took me so long to realise it's the most typically Fratellis song I could write. Mince loves it and badgered me for ages to do it. It's typical of us lyric-wise.

Baby Doll

Another old one from about the same time. It's not the strongest thing I ever wrote lyrically but the melody sticks.

I had it in my head for a long time, so finally gave into it. I thought it must be good if I can't shake it. It has nice Mellotron strings.

Tell Me A Lie

This is a dig at me and the press. We told so many lies in the early days because we were too lazy to tell the truth. It was easy to spin yarns to see if we could get them printed.

I regret it, it became a pain. Anyone with a brain knew we were talking s****. This is a confessional but doesn't sound it because it's a big rock song. It's the biggest, chunkiest one we have done yet.

Acid Jazz Singer

I got excited when I wrote this - sometimes you just know. I'm proud of the lyrics. There is a line, "Get it right today and you may still be here tomorrow" which sums all of this music stuff up.

Lupe Brown

This is another one where I knew I'd done something good. It's the most sing able chorus we have ever had and I think it's the next single.

I have high hopes for it, anyone who hears it their eyes light up a bit and they always ask about it again. I have a feeling it's the one.

It's not Motown but that old feel - you think you have heard the melody before somewhere.

It sounds like it's a big old song we have covered but it's ours and I'm excited about it.

Milk And Money

The biggest departure from the last album yet the one everyone is raving about on our website.

I wrote it and thought it wasn't for us, even though I thought it was f****** good. Mince and Baz persuaded me to do it and I'm glad.

It's the perfect finish and a total departure - the anti-Henrietta.