Let me introduce you to Detroit-based quartet FREER. The band, which cites such influences as The Clash, Aphex Twin, Jeff Buckley, The Beatles, The Pixies, Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, Leonard Cohen and Marvin Gaye (to name a few), has a sound that’s as eclectic as their tastes might indicate. Formed around brothers Jeremy and Jeffrey Freer, this outfit has been tucked away in the less than friendly confines of Detroit for over a year, writing, recording and performing music that stands alone amongst their contemporaries.
The band is now putting the finishing touches on a debut album they will self-release in early 2007. The two demo recordings below will likely find their way onto that release and will show you two very different sides of this young outfit. “Secret Chorus” is a dark and brooding, nine-minute rock & roll epic that is one of the best songs I’ve heard all year. The lyrics are as intense and thoughtful as Jeremy Freer’s confident, passionate delivery, and the music ebbs and flows from a quiet, piano/vocal intro to a Doors-esque, larger-than-life nuclear blast of a conclusion eight minutes later.
“Taking Me Over,” on the other hand, is a bit of a pop gem. The mind-blowing intensity of the previous track is somehow transformed into a silky smooth, super groovy pop song with soaring falsetto choruses and a melody that will get stuck in your head for days on end.
With some guidance and a little luck, this relatively unknown, D.I.Y. indie band will break out of Detroit in 2007 and make some noise on a national level. From what I’ve heard so far… they’re ready for it.
