My friend Matt recommended that I give Freelance Whales a try. I call him my friend, but you know what? I’ve never met him. We share a late mutual friend, a music lover, and Matt and I keep his spirit alive by passing musical tips back and forth. I love being one-half of this long distance friendship that persists despite its bittersweet origins and the thousands of miles between us.
Matt claimed Freelance Whales was like a bizarre combo of Sufjan Stevens, The Postal Service, and a little bit of Sigur Rós. My first thought: how could that possibly be?
But, it is. It really is. And it’s wonderful.
The song “Generator ^ First Floor” beautifully showcases that melding of genres and sounds: delicate xylophones, slowly-plucked banjos, sweeping reverb, frenetic electronica, and wistful vocals. It’s an epic journey, changing directions and speeds many times before finally reaching home.
Freelance Whales – Generator ^ First Floor
And that’s how I feel when music hits me just right: like I’ve made it home despite the obstacles in my way, despite life’s changing winds. So, thank you once again, Matt, my long-distance friend who came to me after one of those torrential storms knocked us both on our asses. I’ve been wearing this album out.
2009’s Weathervanes is being re-released by Frenchkiss Records on March 16, 2010.