OFFICIAL: http://www.gracefreeman.net/
Written
by Mike Yoder, posted by blog admin
Grace
Freeman’s solo debut Shadow sets the bar high for this impressive songwriter’s
future releases. The eleven song collection of originals positions the nineteen
year old prodigy as one of the most promising songwriting talents to emerge on
the scene in recent years and it is frankly only a matter of time until she
garners widespread exposure. This isn’t your typical quivering and sensitive release
from a songwriter with delusions of the poetic. Freeman is a fine writer, a
fact evident from the first track alone, and has a sure hand for seamlessly
molding her lyrical explorations into the larger framework of her songwriting. Her
vocal talents aren’t confined to the ethereal; there are more than a few
instances where she’s able to bring impressive gravitas to performances despite
her higher register vocal gifts. Shadow is a worthwhile purchase for anyone
interested in top flight adult songwriting and thoughtful musical composition.
“Oliver”
is a character study of sorts that ends up, by its conclusion, saying just as
much about the songwriter as it does any outside subject. The lyrical eloquence
of the acoustic guitar playing is excellent accompaniment for Freeman’s lyrics
and vocals but, moreover, it doesn’t belabor any musical points and resolutely
avoids even a hint of self indulgence. “Shadow” takes a decidedly different
tack. Rather than focusing on acoustic guitar, the title song makes use of
tasteful rhythm section work and evocative piano playing that unwinds with
considerable melodic grace. The most commercially minded cut on Shadow, “Trying
to Say Goodbye”, exerts a widespread appeal not because Freeman dumbs down her
presentation in an effort to earn increased attention but because Freeman
explores another side of her talent and produces something intensely catchy and
melodic. “Another Long Night” is solidly in the singer/songwriter tradition and
a very melancholy tune that finds Freeman in a reflective, slightly downcast
state.
“Dreams”
has a nice, striding quality despite being built around the acoustic guitar.
The slightly exotic flair of the melody differs from a lot of the other tracks
on Shadow but never sounds out of place despite its upbeat slant. It’s a
different story on “Muddy Puddles”, however, as Freeman returns to her
customary formula with the extra bonus of some exceptional writing that stands
out even amongst the other artfully turned compositions on Shadow. She hits
another peak with the cawing, surprisingly wide emotional range of “God Forbid”,
a track that moves from palpable hurt, sarcasm, and biting criticism that never
goes too far in any particular direction. The musical arrangement gives the
lyric a more pronounced dramatic edge. Shadow closes with the enigmatic poetics
of “Gemini”, but Freeman doesn’t revel in obscurity and a keen ear and mind
will form their own interpretations of this track. It ends Shadow on an appropriately
thoughtful note and clearly points the way to Freeman’s bright future.
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