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Freebass album review
Finally, a hard copy of Freebass’ debut album, which was previously released as digital download only, will be released in the latter part of September this year.
Maybe this was due to fans expressing their preference of holding a physical copy in their hands or maybe it was planned all along.
Whatever prompted the decision, those who enjoy having a physical copy won’t be disappointed. The release is a double CD at normal release price, featuring on the first disc, the ten digitally released tracks plus another three previously unreleased bonus tracks, “Bury Me Standing,” “Sister Surrender,” and “I’m A Believer.”
On the second CD, we’re treated to instrumental versions of all the tracks on the first half of this release. A “reasonably priced limited edition for once?” Quite possibly. One ends up with 26 tracks after all. The artwork is pretty good too.
Maybe this was due to fans expressing their preference of holding a physical copy in their hands or maybe it was planned all along.
Whatever prompted the decision, those who enjoy having a physical copy won’t be disappointed. The release is a double CD at normal release price, featuring on the first disc, the ten digitally released tracks plus another three previously unreleased bonus tracks, “Bury Me Standing,” “Sister Surrender,” and “I’m A Believer.”
On the second CD, we’re treated to instrumental versions of all the tracks on the first half of this release. A “reasonably priced limited edition for once?” Quite possibly. One ends up with 26 tracks after all. The artwork is pretty good too.
Freebass
It’s A Beautiful Life (Hacienda Records/Essential Music)
Release Date: 20th September 2010
Double CD Release
Finally, a hard copy of Freebass’ debut album, which was previously released as digital download only, will be released in the latter part of September this year.
Maybe this was due to fans expressing their preference of holding a physical copy in their hands or maybe it was planned all along.
Whatever prompted the decision, those who enjoy having a physical copy won’t be disappointed. The release is a double CD at normal release price, featuring on the first disc, the ten digitally released tracks plus another three previously unreleased bonus tracks, “Bury Me Standing,” “Sister Surrender,” and “I’m A Believer.”
On the second CD, we’re treated to instrumental versions of all the tracks on the first half of this release. A “reasonably priced limited edition for once?” Quite possibly. One ends up with 26 tracks after all. The artwork is pretty good too.
So, on to the album tracks. Well most fans will have heard them already via digital download, so they’ll already have definite opinions of the material. For those who haven’t yet heard the album, please allow me to elaborate.
It’s likely that some will say that for an album by three bass guitar idols and a well known singer that took four years from conception to release should surely be a classic that hits you between the eyes from the first listen. The band certainly have huge reputations to live up to, possibly those expectations are unreasonable.
It’s certainly a good album, well written and slickly produced, as one would expect from seasoned professionals.
However, it does lack that certain “smack-between-the-eyes” impact that individual releases from the members have had in the past. I feel that this can be forgiven somewhat, due to the problems the band have had with physically being able to be in the same place at the same time together when both writing and recording.
There are very definite individual elements to each track, as one would expect from bass players with very distinctive styles of playing. You can certainly pick out which musician plays which part and enjoy them for their individual finesse. Do they gel together as an ensemble? The answer is, for the most part, yes, they do. Occasionally they stutter, but manage to regain their collective voice as the album progresses.
Freebass have experimented on their first album, mixing standard “indie-rock,” reggae beats and slightly off-beat experimental tracks.
The stand-outs on this album are “It’s Not Too Late,” “The God Machine,” and “Plan B,” the first two being single/EP releases.
The best thing about this album is that it shows that Gary Briggs (Haven/The Strays) makes a competent and engaging vocalist and it is his vocal ability that give the album more continuity than it might otherwise have had. Peter Hook provides lead and backing vocals occasionally, where the music is more reminiscent of his first New Order “side project,” Revenge. Briggs’ vocals remind me of a slightly more vulnerable Tom Dunne (Something Happens!) and similarly carry the transitions between the album tracks with obvious musical talent and passion.
With the departure of Andy Rourke, Freebass will possibly take a slightly different musical direction, we’ll have to wait and see if that’s a good thing.
The album certainly takes getting used to, but after a few plays, one finds that most of the tracks are pretty catchy. It’s a sign that an album is well-written when on each listen, one hears something new.
A great deal of time and hard work has gone into this album, that much is obvious, but it does lack that sense of urgency that makes an album truly exciting.
However, this album certainly grows on you – persevere and give it a few listens before finally making up your mind - it’s a solid performance (finally in a solid format) with many great points, but I get the feeling that we haven’t heard Freebass’ best work.
Yet.
- Chris Nash
NewOrderOnline
It’s A Beautiful Life (Hacienda Records/Essential Music)
Release Date: 20th September 2010
Double CD Release
Finally, a hard copy of Freebass’ debut album, which was previously released as digital download only, will be released in the latter part of September this year.
Maybe this was due to fans expressing their preference of holding a physical copy in their hands or maybe it was planned all along.
Whatever prompted the decision, those who enjoy having a physical copy won’t be disappointed. The release is a double CD at normal release price, featuring on the first disc, the ten digitally released tracks plus another three previously unreleased bonus tracks, “Bury Me Standing,” “Sister Surrender,” and “I’m A Believer.”
On the second CD, we’re treated to instrumental versions of all the tracks on the first half of this release. A “reasonably priced limited edition for once?” Quite possibly. One ends up with 26 tracks after all. The artwork is pretty good too.
So, on to the album tracks. Well most fans will have heard them already via digital download, so they’ll already have definite opinions of the material. For those who haven’t yet heard the album, please allow me to elaborate.
It’s likely that some will say that for an album by three bass guitar idols and a well known singer that took four years from conception to release should surely be a classic that hits you between the eyes from the first listen. The band certainly have huge reputations to live up to, possibly those expectations are unreasonable.
It’s certainly a good album, well written and slickly produced, as one would expect from seasoned professionals.
However, it does lack that certain “smack-between-the-eyes” impact that individual releases from the members have had in the past. I feel that this can be forgiven somewhat, due to the problems the band have had with physically being able to be in the same place at the same time together when both writing and recording.
There are very definite individual elements to each track, as one would expect from bass players with very distinctive styles of playing. You can certainly pick out which musician plays which part and enjoy them for their individual finesse. Do they gel together as an ensemble? The answer is, for the most part, yes, they do. Occasionally they stutter, but manage to regain their collective voice as the album progresses.
Freebass have experimented on their first album, mixing standard “indie-rock,” reggae beats and slightly off-beat experimental tracks.
The stand-outs on this album are “It’s Not Too Late,” “The God Machine,” and “Plan B,” the first two being single/EP releases.
The best thing about this album is that it shows that Gary Briggs (Haven/The Strays) makes a competent and engaging vocalist and it is his vocal ability that give the album more continuity than it might otherwise have had. Peter Hook provides lead and backing vocals occasionally, where the music is more reminiscent of his first New Order “side project,” Revenge. Briggs’ vocals remind me of a slightly more vulnerable Tom Dunne (Something Happens!) and similarly carry the transitions between the album tracks with obvious musical talent and passion.
With the departure of Andy Rourke, Freebass will possibly take a slightly different musical direction, we’ll have to wait and see if that’s a good thing.
The album certainly takes getting used to, but after a few plays, one finds that most of the tracks are pretty catchy. It’s a sign that an album is well-written when on each listen, one hears something new.
A great deal of time and hard work has gone into this album, that much is obvious, but it does lack that sense of urgency that makes an album truly exciting.
However, this album certainly grows on you – persevere and give it a few listens before finally making up your mind - it’s a solid performance (finally in a solid format) with many great points, but I get the feeling that we haven’t heard Freebass’ best work.
Yet.
- Chris Nash
NewOrderOnline
From the NewOrderOnline archive.
