What the? I hear you scream, don’t tell us Hansard has let the glory go to his red head and ditched Marketa already. Nope, in fact the version you are listening to pre-dates the one that appeared on ‘Once’ by a year (it also appeared on the Swell Season’s album, also from 2006). Makes you wonder how the Academy overlooked the ubiquitous nature of the tune, but I guess that is history now and even Glen’s most ardent detractors must have been choking back the tears as he and his partner accepted the golden one. This version of ‘Falling Slowly’ certainly suffers by Marketa Irglova's absence and its generally noisier existence makes you hanker for the delicate reworking. Also included here is the live version of ‘Lay Me Down’ (originally recorded for the majestic ‘For The Birds’ LP), which not only underlines the often powerful live incarnation of the Frames, but also the lead mans mawkish tendencies. KD

The Frames - Falling Slowly

The Frames - Lay Me Down (live)

Watch The Video To Lay Me Down

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Frames
Year: 2006