Out Now! Frank and Earnest “It Could’ve Been A Lot Worse” (GTG098)

Defying the odds, Frank and Earnest are putting out one last release before the final show on July 1st and you can stream the whole thing today (which also allows it to sneak in as our June label release). It Could’ve Been A Lot Worse came together at just about the last second possible, mostly recorded within the last two weeks, but it’s still a fine final statement from what will always be one of the great GTG bands. There’s four new originals here, one from Paul, one from Tommy, and two from Ben, plus a Tiltwheel cover the band was doing live in the last year as well as a rendition of “A Praise Chorus” by Jimmy Eat World which fans of Frank and Earnest will know as the band’s most enduring cover song. Joining the final lineup’s core trio on these recordings is band founder Otis whose backing vocals add a texture that’s been missing from the band since his 2013 departure, and all 3 drummers for the band – Ryan Horky, the primary kit man, plus John Bruce and Hattie Danby – have a turn here as well, giving every person who has performed and recorded as a member of Frank and Earnest an appearance. Otis sat with Tommy into the late hours while the record was mixed this last Sunday (also the same day 50% of it was recorded) and the band’s recordings finished just the way they began almost exactly 8 years earlier, at GTG House and mostly on-the-fly. CDs will be available at the final show but after that this thing will exist digitally so make sure to get one at the show or have some nice Lansinger save you one. It could be a lot worse!