Saturday, July 11, 2015

BEAUVOIR/FREE: "American Trash"

Rating: RR
Label: Frontiers 2015
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Read all about it! Dynamic duo from Crown of Thorns reunited under the moniker of Beauvoir/Free. American Trash or universal hiccup? I had my sights on this one for a long time as I've always enjoyed the work of Jean the Swede. The stuff he recorded with Micki on the COT debut gets a spin every now and then. It's just a grand old solid record with songs that makes you sit up and pay attention.

Thus why I can't help feeling extra disappointed by the material on American Trash. The absolutely best things about the record? The excellent lead and background vocals, the production, and the tasty guitar work. I actually prefer the softer material and numbers such as "Just Breathe" and "Never Give Up", since the majority of uptempo tracks are simply not up to normal standard of Beauvoir and Free.

We've learn to rely and trust on Beauvoir as the quality songwriter through the years with credits such as solo hits, KISS, etc, etc. "Cold Dark December", the wicked mid-tempo track similar to the style of the COT debut. "It's Never Too Late", yet another great semi-ballad or if you prefer slow song. But again, there's something missing from the original ingredients and American Trash is sadly stuck in second gear. The title track, not even worth mentioning because of its annoying 'yea-yea-yea' refrain or rather lack of the latter. It's hardly trash, but definitely not the K.O.
beauvoirfree.com

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