Postcards from the South

Album Review

Opting for a harder, more electric sound than his previous album, Mike Freedman appears to flourish in an upbeat pop-folk area. The kickoff song, "Free," has a slightly tribal feeling in its percussion but sticks to a contemporary folk ideal. A number of the tracks, while still maintaining an eco-friendly theme, sound laid-back and relaxing. "Waiting for the Rain" is such a song, moving from a blues bridge to a more tranquil Pink Floyd instrumental quality to it. Lyrically, the album is very strong and insightful, perhaps due to the time spent reflecting on his own life. "No Sign of Life" is perhaps the best track on the record, a roots folk song at the core but with added textures and layers. One of the more interesting songs is "Open My Heart," which consists of a blend of African, Middle Eastern, and even Celtic rhythms to it, coming across as a track possibly also suited for Peter Gabriel. Although generally quite good, there are a couple of songs that don't have the same sparkle to them, notably "This Drug," which awkwardly moves into spoken word. Thankfully, it's quickly forgotten when the Cajun blues start on "Going Home With You." This album is definitely another solid stepping stone from a promising singer/songwriter.