Freak Flag- Experiments in Evolution (2003)

This band is from my town, and this is probably one of the best albums.  Now I know, "ohh those guys are from your town and you probably know them so you think their so cool.", well ya I know them, but seriously this is a fantastic album.  I have been trying to think of what album I have, from a local band, that I want to review first; so I decided to go with my favorite one. 

Freak Flag is really one of the most well rounded and bad ass Experimental/Post-Punk/Space Rock bands around.  This album truly has everything in it: fast punk rhythms mixed with aggression, yet clean and experimental enough to make you listen and realize what all is really going on; as well as cool dark rhythm based melodies that gives you the spaced out atmospheric drones that'll lead you into submission until a lead comes back in get set off your hyperactivity.  I have seen these songs played live, and the album pretty much as their live set, and I have always been very happy with it.  Freak Flag is one of those bands that can pull off their studio sound, live; which is amazing once you listen to it and hear everything that is going on, in the forefront and the background.  The 15 tracks from this album flow better than a loose skank's heavy flow; but honestly, the album flows perfectly and you don't get bored, not even once, during the album.  (which is a huge thing when trying to listen to an album if you have a decent sized collection; at least for me.)

Experiments in Evolution was released on an awesome local label, and Freak Flag can be reached through their Myspace page. With this band not being as big as it should be, you need to contact them to get a copy.  And when you do contact them and get a copy, or listen to the tracks on their page, you won't regret it.  I personally would get the album, locals bands should always be supported, and this album sounds great through a home system. (lots of great pan work and production.)  Despite all that; if I was to stumble across these guys online or see them live, and didn't know them personally, they would still be one of my top all together favorites. I am gonna be overly critical when I give it an official score, because of the fact that I know them, people might think I'm not taking the review all that seriously.  But man, this album is freakin' good and seriously kicks the shit out that fuckin' Arcade Fire album that you are probably listening to.


Official score- 4.75/5

Junior Brown- Greatest Hits (2005)

When I think of country music, my mind always goes to the old country artists- Hank W., Cash, Jennings, etc., but Junior Brown is one of the modern country artists that isn't too bad.  I have only been to 1 country concert, and it was to see Junior Brown.  I first saw him on the David Letterman show playing his custom dual necked guitar, actually it's 1 guitar & 1 guitar steel, and he was shreddin' it up!  Junior Brown is like if an old metal guitarist started playing country music- super fast fingering while using a pick and his fingers to strum all while switching from his guitar-neck to his steel-neck. 

This "Greatest Hits" release seems a little premature since I am pretty sure that he is still playing music, but nonetheless it is a good outline of the different styles he plays on his regular studio albums.  This album has 11 tracks and has a play time of right around the 45 minute mark.  Now as a disclaimer, this is country, his vocals have that twang to them and some of the songs can be a little drawn out; but, in every song he show off his mad guitar prowess.  Any of the "rags" that you listen to of his shows his bad-assery, going from fast bluegrass style picking to sweeping wah sounding Hendrix imitations, all while being able to switch from his regular guitar neck to his slide style on the steel neck.  Lyrically, these are pretty standard country topics- love, lost love, driving 18 wheelers, typical country type stuff. The accompanying music, for these tracks,  is the standard country beat on drums, walking country bass lines and rhythm acoustic guitar.   This is a short album and the songs themselves are short, so it goes by fast and is pretty entertaining. 

This is a good album for anyone who likes fast country style guitar picking and doesn't mind the country twang when listening to people sing.  I would say that seeing him live is a better experience, but with such a great guitar technique and style, definitely worth a listen.  Yet at the same time, I know that I personally cannot listen to county on a daily basis, and more often then not, not even on a weekly basis; so take that for what it's worth.

Official score- 3/5