_Album Review: Freelance Whales – Weathervanes

Freelance

Whales -

Weathervanes

[Released 9/1, 2009]
Record Label: None/ Indepedent

Formed in late 2008, Freelance Whales, a band from Queens, is leaping onto the music scene with an undeniable presence. A few months ago they released their debut album, Weathervanes, and since then its been gaining rapid popularity because they are a group that just can’t be ignored.

Freelance Whales brings us back to “old school” indy, if there is such a thing. They definitely don’t fit into the 2009 breakout band trend of electronic pop, which we see so often. The group has a theme that could be categorized as similar to Postal Service or Sufjan Stevens. Its what emo-electronic would sound like on a nice day in an open prairie field.

Standout tracks include “Generator ^ First Floor,” “Starring,” and “The Great Estates”. “Generator ^ First Floor,” is the influential start to the album. A long instrumental introduction, filled with the guitar, banjo, harmonium, glockenspiel, and synthesizers, sets the tone for the orchestrated heavy album. There is something very powerful and moving about the first song that lures you into the rest of the album.

Continuing the buildup as you progress deeper into the album is “Starring.” This track has a sentimental melody with a poppy chorus that sets you free. The best part of this song and an aspect that makes the album stand out as great is the use of the banjo. Rounding out the epic album is the song “The Great Estates.” It carries a memorable melody that touches your emotions after a few listens, much like the entire album.

These guys are the real deal. Not a band to watch, a band to get into right now!  They are about to blow up, they’re just thatttt good.

Tracklisting:
1. Generator ^ First Floor
2. Hannah
3. Locations
4. Channels
5. Starring
6. Kilojoules
7. Broken Horse
8. Danse Flat
8. Ghosting
9. We Could Be Friends
10. Vessels
11. Generator ^ Second Floor
12. The Great Estates

- Melina Bast