If you have been paying attention to hot new bands that the internet is eating up, you probably are well aware of the hot band from Philadelphia called Free Energy. I have seen their name on plenty of bloggers “bands to watch in 2010” lists. It wasn’t until I saw them open up for Hot Chip at Highline Ballroom last Friday that I finally jumped on the hype bandwagon. They are 100% worth every bit of the hype. Free Energy have the chops to present their guitar rock in a pretty exciting fashion live. Last week I posted a song from their debut album, Stuck On Nothing. It was my first taste of the band, and it set me off right. But seeing them live really jump started my excitement for this young band. I didn’t know any of the songs that they played live, but had no problem rocking my head back and forth and anticipating getting my hands on them later at home.
I found that the band released a EP titled after their very own band named and gave it a go. It turns out that two of the songs (Free Energy & Dark Trance) are going to be on their debut album. The only song that they left off, is actually their strongest song in my opinion. I have obsessively played “Something In Common” over and over for the last week, to the point where my roomate and neighbors are probably well aware of the lyrics, and ready to kill me! Just like Vampire Weekend’s notable omission of “Boston/Ladies Of Cambridge”, “Something In Common” is sadly not on the tracklisting for Stuck On Nothing. However, the song will do find standing out on its own, because it truly is that good.
The best way to describe Free Energy’s sound is to call them a modern take on classic rock. The band is composed of the now defunct band Hockey Night They have excellent 70’s guitar riffs that earned them rightful comparisons to the likes of Thin Lizzy, Tom Petty (who they claim to be an influence in this interview with P4k) and Cheap Trick. These guys are very much rock, but with a modern touch of pop/blues added quite flawlessly. Some people would even go as far to call Free Energy the revivalist of glam-rock. With such a great style and sound, it is safe to say that Free Energy’s appeal in not limited to any one type of “listener”. I think these guys have a very wide appeal, and that is why the famous electronic/dance label DFA took it upon themselves to snag the band.
The songs speak for themselves. You don’t really need to read up on the band to get to know them. These songs are inviting you to truly rock out with the band, and connect with them. Just like they used to when music truly mattered. Free Energy are making good fucking rock and roll that is true in fashion and spirit. Free Energy are the real deal, and I cannot wait to hear their debut album! It’s going to make Free Energy the “it” band of 2010.
Check out “Something In Common” from their Free Energy EP below, along with two tracks from Stuck On Nothing: ” I posted Hope Child last week. Grab that here. James Murphy (Mr. LCD Soundsytem), produced both the EP and album, so you know these guys are in very trustworthy hands.
[mp3] : Free Energy – Something In Common
[mp3] : Free Energy – Dream City
[Stream via RCRD LBL] : Free Energy – Dark Trance
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