If you can’t think of a better line yourself, you might as well steal one from the greats. No less a luminary than Nicke Andersson (and any opportunity to mention The Hellacopters man will always be gleefully taken) described Freedom as a “Bargain Basement Springsteen” (and as anyone who has brought tickets to see The Boss recently knows, he’s anything but “bargain basement”).
Listen to the opening of “Tonight” and you can’t escape it. It’s one of those records that you call “blue collar” and “working class” and everyone knows what you mean, despite it meaning nothing.
But it’s the best description of “Love Reaction” or the superb “Eyes Of The Storm.” Both of these sound American, but not fully, like there’s still some of the unmistakable Swedish thing going on.
Freedom have only been a band for a few years, but they’ve recruited a couple of members of Heavy Feather for this. Ola Göransson and Matte Gustafsson, and the brand new foursome have invoked some E St Band spirit on “Freedom Song”, the Big Man who joined the band is looking down with pride at the sax solo (if you know, you know).
In old money – and given that this is very much a throwback – side two, if you will, kicks off with the ebullient drums and textures of “Hurt Too Much”. In other hands, this would be a ballad, but these lads don’t do that.
“Johnny You’re Electric” is all for the love of rock n roll, and Mange Monroe (who I admit I misread as “Marge” at first and conjured up images of him with blue hair dressed as if he was in Hanoi Rocks) isn’t born to sing in this band then I don’t know who is.
“Melanie” shows the skill of the band. It all sounds so timeless, you honestly think you might have heard it before, but it still sounds fresh. There’s so much energy too, as the “Gone” shows.
“Generation” ends with a bit more reflection. “I am part of a generation….told not to dream” goes part of its first line. And in that case, growing up in Thatcher’s disaster of the neo-liberal 80s, you can relate. You found your escape where you could. Found your freedom, if you will, in music.
We still do. Bargain basement Springsteen or not, it’s how Freedom – and whoever wants to join them – “Stay Free!”
Rating 8.5/10
