FREEHAND

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 the bulk of its basic sound from an older band: Discipline-era King Crimson (not Gentle Giant as their name might suggest); but there weren't many bands copying that sound in 1987. A closer comparison might be the band Djam Karet (another KC-inspired band, but they came AFTER this one), while some hints of bands like U.K., Happy The Man, and Brand X are also evident.

This is a great album! Recorded in 1987-8, released in both 1997 and 2004 (remastered from the original 4-track analog tapes), the sound production on this is remarkably crisp and clear. Most of this 63-minute cd is instrumental, though there are a few songs with vocals (and done well). The only song that I could have lived without is "Mastodon" with its silly and nearly-spoken lyrics. But humor is good, and there is a cool vibe going on in that song, so I'll let it slide...

I guess I'm not as hard a marker as some reviewers when it comes to a group sounding derivative of other bands. This music is played very well, and if you can compose new stuff in the KC vein, I say more power to ya. This is a nice find. I wish the band had found more success in its prime.

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 a mix from KING CRIMSON with a more psychedelic approach. The KC influences comes from some Fripp's guitar moods and a initial distorted bass guitar parts ( like Wetton plays in "Red") this are present in overture theme of track 1 " Kinnetic Eggs" and along of this track and in others. The best moments are in track 2 "Camels Dance" a very soft song with some symphonic prog passages, track 3 "3 chords of Something" with his "groovy" main theme (IMHO) the best moment in the album and the last track " Spacehounds...Earthshine" and the mix of space/jazzy/blues, other very good moment. My rate is 3 stars !!!

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.

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 Bollinger, the ripping soprano sax of Barbee, the Gilmorish singing guitar of Howerton, the punchy rythym section of Preston and Lindsey. Sure there are references and influences, and no band exists without them. I am aware of no band that could exist at all without showing tonal and melodic influence of their mentors. And the mastubatory implication is sophmoric and a lazy stab at art. There is no sauch thing as an artist who doesn't derive pleasure from their work, and the ones who claim they don't are liars. The previous reviewer either isn't much of a listener or a musician. In 1987 this band smoked, and in 2004 at the Progday show in the Artscenter in NC they smoked even more. If you like prog get this album.

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.