Review

This album is fresh, and nothing like what I’m hearing on the radio these days.  In fact it’s so very easy to listen to that I’m surprised it’s not on the airwaves everywhere.  Only a new band on the scene, Free Energy has released an album that sounds Retro yet it’s now, so I’m inventing a new word called Nowtro.  Yes this album is now coined as Nowtro, will it catch on?  Probably not, but you get what I mean. 

The buzzing guitar tone, the cowbell, the layered vocals and just clean songs make this a great record.  Will it be everyone’s cup of tea?  Well if you drink tea, then yeah it just might.  If not, then try a cup and see what you think.  I hope there are big things on the horizon for these guys.  These are some great bop along songs that you can dance* to and given a chance you will be doing just that. 

I recommend you check out the song ‘Free Energy’ and ‘Bang Pop’ for the best taste of the album and then if you dig it, grab it and support a pretty cool up and coming band. 

*= not me, I don’t dance.

Official Press Release

Signed to the credible DFA label, Free Energy, released their debut album ‘Stuck On Nothing’ in Australia on Friday June 4.   

Free Energy is a five member Philadelphia based power pop-rock band whose members include Scott Wells, Paul Sprangers, Evan Wells, Geoff Bucknam, and Nick Shuminksy.  Album producer is James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem.  Opening the album and lead by a simple cowbell, the 70’s inspired self titled single “Free Energy”, will be released digitally on May 7. 

The band’s debut album ‘Stuck On Nothing’ is not music for the arms-folded set holding up the back wall. “With Free Energy, the first thing we do is make sure the drums sound awesome,” explains Sprangers. “Then we build on top of that, so everything is solid, well thought out, and distilled to its essence.” The vocals are always audible and up front.  

The ten songs of Stuck On Nothing began life as a string of modest, homemade demos, but only as a jumping-off point. “You can just make little four-track things that are pleasing to listen to, but we’re a rock n roll band, and rock n roll music is supposed to be dance music,” insists Wells.  

Free Energy make singing along just as easy as stamping your feet and clapping in time. “There’s a lot of optimism and positivity in the music, lyrics and imagery,” the singer concedes.

 

Do not resist the exuberance.