I have a soft spot for Aussie rockers. INXS, Boom Crash Opera, Hand of Fate, Midnight Oil, Taxiride, the list goes on...fantastic artists. Now I have to add James Freud to the list. I got his promo in the mail last week and can't seem to bring myself to eject the CD from my player.
His new release "See You In Hell" (2008) in just brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. James skillfully updates the feel-good rock sound from the 80s, bringing a tastefully modern edge to it. The 80s vibe really comes out strong - and that is a GOOD thing. Case in point: "Junk" comes complete with hand claps and Deborah Harry references, and I hear overtones of Psychedelic Furs, Timbuk 3 (especially track 9), a lively Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) (track 7), and a melodic Iggy Pop.
So who is this guy and where has be been? Freud played in various bands during the 80s (including The Models), and then spent 1992 playing bass on Kylie Minogue's first big tour. He then went "commercial" so to speak, writing over 100 of them for TV. Thankfully, he returned to making his own music that has culminated in the victorious "See You In Hell."
Every track on this tight and coherent effort is a short ride on a pop rock thrill ride - the collective CD is like a day at the amusement park. The momentum just doesn't stop until the very end, and the CD gets better with each listen. The highlights for me include "Desperation Road", "Junk", and "Guilty". James Freud has delivered a masterpiece in the finest Aussie rock tradition.
iPOD-worthy: Seriously, every track is great!
James Freud at MySpace. Official site.
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