The debut release by Freeheat (Or should I say only release) is best described as, "What could have been." The tracks presented here are original and truely do rock, but is oblivious that this isn't the work intended.
By the time of the release, the band had essentially disbanded, leaving a record deal with Planting Seeds up in the air. To avoid legal repercussions, all the material available (In studio & live) was gathered and is contained herein. This isn't a complete work, and this is the sole fact preventing it from receiving a higher rating.
First I have to say that nothing presented here new. All these tracks have been previously released the their single (Don't Worry Be Happy) and EP (Retox). So if you own these already, be aware the only new material is live.
*Note
Some of the tracks featured contain both a live and studio version. I will attempt to address both in the same review.*
1.Keep On Truckin'
Rating- 4/5
The album kicks off with a very bluesy track and gives you a feel of where they came from. Jim croons pseudo sexual lines such as, "Keep on Truckin, Keep on ***in.." Even managing to throw in a little fuzz, great work.
2.What Goes Around
Rating- 4/5
This live track seems to be a reflection of their time with the Mary Chain. (I've been running from A to B, No more hookers or LSD...) The fifth member of the group (Feedback) plays a big part in this on.
3.Everything
Rating- 2/5
Keyboard and percussion driven, features little guitar work. It spills over four minutes, and I couldn't help but feel in they sped it up a little they might have been a bit closer. To what, I don't know.
3.Back on the Water
Rating-5/5
The title track is Freeheat at it's best, Live and soaked to the gills. No more explanation needed.
4.The Story So Far
Rating- 2/5
Unfortunately; not all the tracks featured here are winners. Case in point, The Story So Far. Jim has always stated with regards to freeheat that they were terribly lazy, and hated practicing; And thusly rarely did. It becomes evident here, this track is slow, generic, and boring.
5.Everything
Rating- 3/5
They take a pot shot at delta blues here, and come remarkably close to the mark. It's good, but it's not great. The lyrics are just lacking, but for what it is, it's worth a listen.
6.Dead End Kids
Rating- 3/5
This was a track originally intended to be the single for Jim Reid's scraped solo album, but I'm glad that it made it out of obscurity and onto the album. Unfortunately; this song falls into many pitfalls. (e.g. Generic guitar work, lyrics..) Regardless, I had it stuck in my head for a week.
7.Get On Home
Rating- 5/5
Hands down, one of my favorite tracks here. Ben Lurie digs deep here, with a gut punch of distortion after each chorus repetition. "I got a pistol in my pocket, It's gonna shoot it's load." The lyrics borderline hilarious to semi serious.
8.Down
Rating- 5/5
Romi keeps a pleasant keyboard melody rolling through the chorus, While Jim spills his guts all over the studio while kicking out your teech. Really pleasant, and easy to listen too.
9.The Two of Us
Rating- 1/5
If I didn't know better, I would classify this as christian rock.*Shutters* (The Two of are getting high, we don't need drugs because we know how to fly.) Ugh. The only piece I can't stand. And it gets worse live.
10.The Real Deal
Rating- 4/5
This poppy track is the only to feature any synth, and possibly intended as a single. And about a head above "Dead End Kids."
11.Don't Look Back
Rating- 5/5
An oasis on in a dessert! This is the only blues track where you can actually feel the pain in the lyrics delivered. (Headed north on the railroad track, and I won't look back..) I know, it sounds cliche'd, but the delivery is flawless.
12. K Moon
Rating- 1/5
It sounds as though they forgot to tune up before they played, or like they just wrote it minutes before. Either way; It's rubbish.
13. Baby G2
Rating-4/5
The only track where Nick Sanderson's drum work comes to the fore. This instrumental track screams distortion and feedback, but in a much more controlled fashion then it's predecessor . "Thanks alot, Cheers!"
