Versatility is a key attribute free-lancers need to survive in the world. The Freelance Whales showcase versatility through an amalgamation of folk and electro-pop on its debut album.
Weathervanes is chock full of happy-go-lucky folk music that will surely put a pep in your step and smile on your face. The array of instruments, from banjo to key- board to music box, make for a distinct blend of pop that leans more toward indie than mainstream.
The group has the ability to cater to a song’s pace with its delicate voices and collective talents. A few of the songs drag on while they find a sense of direction, an adverse result of an otherwise youthful product.
The band’s versatility is refreshing, but it often means that many of the songs sound as if they were culled from several projects. There are chilled-out, acoustic songs that compete with illustrious, up-tempo tracks.
Airy sounds and minimal guitar playing create nostalgic ripples comparable to Sufjan Stevens in “Broken Horse” and “The Great Estates.” Rapid banjo plucking on “Hannah” and oscillating keyboards on “Starring” initiate toe-tapping, and their addictive choruses cycle through your head on a permanent loop.
Twitter and HGTV commercials, as well as NBC show “Chuck,” have featured the charming “Generator 1st Floor” for its easy-to-love, dreamy vocals and inviting chanting. The band knows how to make good music, but there is a sizable difference between its great songs and its less impressive ones.
The group’s unique sound is indicative of the expansion of indie music to new and unforeseen frontiers.
Weathervanes is a great starting point with its flexibility, but a band-aid or two could help with its lack of cohesion.
