Freelance Whales
Tue 3 Nov 2009
Bigger Than Land Itself
I’ve finally been overcome by Freelance Whales. Over recent weeks I’ve been seeing their name pop up all over the blog world; I even saw a few people on Twitter raving that they were one of the bands to watch at this year’s CMJ festival. Due to my own naivety I didn’t take much notice of the hype, but this morning I realised I can’t resist posting about them too.
Described by Stereogum as being “way out of step with the dominant trend of ‘09, and more in line with what the non-Gang Of Four appropriating wing of indie music was fixated on a few years ago,” Freelance Whales align more with the New York hipster crowd than the fuzzed out LA psych surf crew. Their melodies hop along in a tricky doo-wop state of mind attempting to be far more sophisticated than their West Coast cousins. Sort of flashy but no more so than the average Brooklyn hipster, Freelance Whales proudly announce they’re from Queens, perhaps trying to distance themselves from the pretentious airflow the New York burough has garnished over the past few years.
Tambourines, banjo, glockenspiel, cello and harmonium line their music, along with more traditional instruments like guitar, bass, keyboard and drums. And while it’s not entirely original (what is nowadays); they blend the sharp electronic stabs of The Postal Service; the urban country twang of Noah and the Whale and Bishop Allen’s slightly awkward hipster melodies, they come across as a band following their hearts, working on a sound that will satisfy fans of the indie pop genre without slipping into a naff delirium. Anyone vaguely familiar with the bands mentioned will eagerly engage Freelance Whales’ soft, inoffensive swoon pop.
For a band that only formed in late 2008, Freelance Whales have an instant chemistry. Their recently self-released debut LP Weathervanes paints them as a much older band, one that has been writing music together for several years and has grown while learning in New York’s musical playground. Displaying such maturity is a credit to all five members’ ability to not only channel their influences but to evolve and find a unique cross-over that defines themselves without falling victim to the usual clichés. Debut records displaying this much class normally lead to greatness.
You can purchase Freelance Whales’ debut album Weathervanes from CD Baby.
Freelance Whales- Starring: MP3
