THINKING OUT LOUD

One thing's being inspired by a band. Another thing - and sadly the most common in contemporary prog - is not to be able to evolve from its references. Freehand is no exception, whose heart comes and goes between King Crimson's heavy guitar signature ("Kinetic Eggs" and "Spacehounds") and masturbating fusion of the worst kind (the other tracks on the album). Don't get me wrong ; it's well executed, and "Kinetic Eggs", for instance, has its merits. But without consequences... Freehand's getting even worse by shamelessly covering KC's "The Sheltering Sky" on "Mirkwood". So, yes, it's damn cool to be in a band. But sometimes, musicians should not forget to wonder why they play.

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Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 | Review this album | Report (Review #2748)

Freehand is almost a forgotten american prog band that release a single album in fall of 1989 (not 1997 as is here). Recorded during 1988, summer, this album has some traces of King Crimson (Discipline era) and here and there some jazz hints aswell. Anyway the musicianship is strong delivering some very fine moments like : Mastodon (one of the pieces with voice), are some instrumental here aswell, title track- Thinking out loud is another example of good prog music of the late '80's. I don't know about you what you think about this band and album, I'm one the fiew reviewers from here who has the album, but I recommended this one if you enjoy , jazz moments combined with intriguing guitar chops and strange in places vocal parts , not far from King Crimson atmosphere. 3.5 for Thinking out loud, that means a good album all the way, not a weak moment here, but not a masterpiece for sure. Kinda unnnoticed band for many and for sure they need a better view, and only if you trace this album out, because is hard to find. Re release on CD at Sights and sounds - InEar Visions Music in 1995.

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Posted Saturday, May 9, 2009 | Review this album | Report (Review #214593)

It's one thing to make this unique and fresh brand of progressive rock/fusion in the late 1980's; it's another thing to do it as a relatively obscure group of guys from North Carolina where you don't necessarily think "prog hotbed"... This album was years ahead of its time. Yes, Freehand derives ... (read more)

Report this review (#2439589) | Posted by Squire Jaco | Thursday, August 20, 2020 | Review Permanlink

Although, I must recognize the great effort from skilled musicians.in FREEHAND "Thinking Out Loud" .... at the same time I cannot say much more adjectives... Even showing some good moments, this album ( for my taste ) in a general way is far from a laudable item. The final result of the work is ... (read more)

Report this review (#1785912) | Posted by maryes | Saturday, September 23, 2017 | Review Permanlink

This band set a standard in the Chapel Hill NC scene in the mid to late 1980s. They shunned the cop out forms of music at that time and decided to let imagination guide them. It's too bad this album did not reflect the full compliment of their tunage. Missing is the Emersonian Steinway work of Bo ... (read more)

Report this review (#196971) | Posted by diltune | Saturday, January 3, 2009 | Review Permanlink

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