The Frames were signed to recording contract before they were really even a band. So, as one might expect, their debut album is a little uneven and scattered; they had yet to find their voice as a band, and at times they appear to be struggling to capture some of the grand, stadium-rocking bombast of U2. Even so, Another Love Song displays a raw energy and a potential that is undeniable, especially on songs like the album-opening "The Dancer" and "Masquerade." Elsewhere, on "Downhill From Here? and "Picture of Love," the band shows the kind of low-key, atmospheric vibe that would characterize later albums. Not the best place to start an exploration of this constantly evolving band -- that would be have to be For the Birds, released almost a decade later -- but worth checking out if it can be found (as of early 2002, Another Love Song remains out of print). ~ Jason Nickey