The Freebies

The Youtube algorithm finally got it right and pointed me in the direction of a new favorite Los Angeles band. (“Even a stopped clock is right twice a day” as I first heard on a Ride album.) It might have been their bio that did the match-making as it listed shared favorites like the Velvet Underground, The Beach Boys, Ramones, and ‘60s girl groups.

The current twee revival bands are pleasant, but it’s hard to get truly excited or listen beyond one spin, when one remembers when records like Tiger Trap and The Decline and Fall of Heavenly were in current rotation at select college radio stations. My joke is that there are too many bands playing K-pop now! What separates the Freebies from their indiepop, twee and jangle contemporaries, is that they have the essential rock ‘n’ roll foundation as they incorporate the aforementioned classic influences along with the best aspects of other decades. 

Starting off with their most power-pop-ish number “Hard On U,” recalls the ‘B’ Girls, the MnMs and the Pinkz and makes quite the opening statement. “Josephine, I Love You” has a dreamy doo wop meets girl group sound going away for a holiday with Joey Ramone and Debbie Harry. Evoking both cub and the Undertones, “Friends” is played with the stripped down speed & sass of Hunx and his Punx and Pookie and the Poodlez. “Kiss Me” seems to be a joyous spin on “Will He Kiss Me Tonight” by Dolly Mixture as the question for the ages is finally answered. Starting on a drum hook and coiling guitar like “We Got the Beat,” “What's On Ur Mind” darts off in some wonderful directions with an unconventional, yet distinctive arrangement consisting of two alternating movements that spiral around each other and sounds like something out of Tetsuko’s playbook. 

 

Guitarist/vocalist Breanna Limón's love of Teenage Fanclub can be heard in the strummy “Love is Strange” when one of those big Bandwagonesque riffs appears. She’s also a major fan of Big Star and Alex Chilton, so we can set our future expectations sky high when it comes to songwriting and captivating melodies. Peach Kelli Pop and Alvilda come to mind with “Lucky 4 You,” a number that gathers momentum and twists and turns like a waterslide that actually works. The album concludes with two demos that have the feel of Dressy Bessy and Slippers.

Lastly, harmonies shine throughout the album and cast additional layers of exuberance that allows the group to truly stand apart. Too bad that SFTRI, Shredder, or Teenacide are not still around to release this catchy & upbeat debut driven by a ringing Rickenbacker and overflowing with hooks galore.