Freakwater - Scheherazade

by Carl Bookstein

published: 22 / 12 / 2016

Label: Bloodshot Records
Format: CD

Fabulous combination of tradition and experimentation in first album in ten years from American alt. country band Freakwater

Review

Americana and Appalachian soul are captured on Freakwater’s latest album 'Scheherazade'. Here tradition meets experimentation with the sisterly vocal harmonies of Janet Bean and Catherine Irwin. 'What the People Want' starts with the resonant strum of a fiddle, then a lovely tandem vocal. The lyric “Whose baby are you anyway?” repeats. A tapestry of rich instrumentation combines with the soulful duo vocal. 'The Asp and the Albatross' includes lyrics with imagery from the stars to the dawn. The effect is creative and artistic, while still essential roots music. 'Bolshevik and Bollweevil' is another folk-Americana duo vocal ballad. The lyrics reverberate with a fine performance: “I got a letter today… Come on home…/Shake the dust off of your shoes.” Utilizing dissonant tones, 'Down Will Come Baby' includes an electric guitar feedback type of effect. 'Falls of Sleep' includes lyrics about treachery awaiting, seeking mercy and metamorphosis - with a vocal effect that pierces the soul. With only eight albums released in twenty-seven years, 'Scheherazade' is their first in over a decade. 'Velveteen Matador' is a fine harmonic number, among the album’s best- a sonically ringing tune. The female duo vocals here hit just the right note. 'Number One with a Bullet' is evocative with lyrics about the sea crashing to the shore and speaking to love as well: “Please wait for me.” 'Memory Vendor' includes imagery of the night and the day - combining once again lovely harmonies and dissonant tones. The soulful closer 'Ghost Song' features lyrics about trying to see some stars in the city skies, asking the question “Where’ve you been gone so long?” The same could also be asked of the wait between Freakwater albums.

Track Listing:-

1 What the People Want
2 The Asp and the Albatross
3 Bolshevik and Bollweevil
4 Down Will Come Baby
5 Falls of Sleep
6 Take Me with You
7 Velveteen Matador
8 Skinny Knee Bone
9 Number One With a Bullet
10 Memory Vendor
11 Missionfield
12 Ghost Song