Free Energy - Stuck on Nothing
By Zach McCormick
Posted in CD Reviews, Sound & Vision | Comments Off
During the last thirty seconds of the “Dream City,” the second track on the Philadelphia-by-way-of-Minneapolis band’s debut album, a beautiful soft tenor sax emerges to play a quiet, lonesome little figure as the song fades away with such a heartfelt lack of irony that we know immediately how much disdain the hipster set will have for this band. Free Energy is unapologetically dinosaur-ific, wearing their love for seventies hard rock like a banner for all to see. What sets them apart from a sea of unoriginal bands doing the same is frontman and songwriter Paul Spangers’ wonderful gift for wrapping stadium sized hooks in the vaguest of political trappings, supported by rock solid playing and a virtuosic lead guitar. Credit must be given to James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem/DFA fame for his production, lending the …



For such an unlikely team-up, the duo of indie-folk heavyweight M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel has had remarkable staying power. Far from a novelty group, She and Him specializes in lush folk- and country-tinged pop songs that recall Phil Spector’s girl groups and Nashville chanteuses. On Volume Two the duo sprinkles in elements of Motown for a slightly different flavor, but She and Him hardly needs to reinvent the wheel for their records to be enjoyable. Major credit should go to Ward for his sterling production and impeccable playing throughout this record: otherwise unmemorable tunes are redeemed via drooping steel guitar or softly chirping strings and the truly winning songs crackle with analog warmth. “Into the Sun” features an upbeat soulful piano and backing vocals courtesy of Tilly and the Wall, …
