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Ari Freeman: Thank You To The Monsters

Digital recording has enabled every single bedroom dweller to become a musician or DJ, and further to release their own creativity, unencumbered by record company interference. Ari Freeman is one such independent artist. Currently Wellington-based, he was recently bassist for The Evils, and previously frontman for Christchurch band Luge. Here he has played and programmed everything himself (apart from a couple of guest vocals), showing some good songwriting ideas and instrumental sounds. Starting off in a very Flying Nun/David Kilgour kind of way, this album will appeal to those who appreciate that gentle, tinkling guitars kind of vibe. Great sounding 80's keyboards thrash about on a couple of numbers. His lyrics are poetic and subject matter largely introspective, but not overly indulgent, apart from Shoot The Dice which doesn't feature Ari's words or voice anyway. There is a Fall-sounding number in Let's Make Art and the louder, gruntier Punch In The Head which at first sounds cacophonous, actually reveals itself to be a bit of a cathartic release with merit. Whilst the vocals aren't always strong, his voice sounds uncannily similar to the Mocker's Andrew Fagan at times (as do some songs), and yes, that is a compliment. Check out his MySpace page.

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