Last week I heard a DJ say that being a band from Brooklyn was now a cliche. I wanted to reach through the airwaves and strangle him with his headphone cord. That may have been the dumbest thing I've heard spoken all year.... and it's been a long year. However, redemption would ultimately be his. The next next band he played has become my most recent obsession.
The music of Queens-based quintet Freelance Whales hasn't stopped infecting me since. To me, the group's dream pop, at once atmospheric and intelligent,is like a soundtrack to a smile growing on someone's face. Lead vocalist Doris Cellar not only has a fantastic moniker, but a charmer of a voice to back up the name tag. The vocals are even, rhythmic, and often hypnotically harmonized, but the instrumentation is where the real hook is. Wave after wave of unfamiliar tones pour out of each track. Is that a freaking glockenspiel?? Yes, and banjo, cello, harmonium, and possibly tin cans mixed into the guitar, drum, and bass trinity. The smartly balanced arrangements and left field tempo changes combine to deliver pop peace of mind.
The band released their debut album Weathervanes in September, and will begin a coast-to-coast tour in New York on Friday. Tour dates and streaming audio available here.Hear "Hannah" and "Generator ^First Floor" now.
Refreshing. I'm gonna go try to see them next week.
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