Aaron Freeman, better known to Ween fans as Gene Ween, has formed a new band using his real name: Freeman. Sadly, Ween is no more. The New Hope, PA based rock band, which started in 1984, crafted an original sound and cultivated a devoted following. Their music was always interesting, dealing with humor and absurdity while experimenting in various musical sounds, but the band unfortunately broke up in 2012.
Fear not, for Aaron Freeman is back with a new album. It is beautifully produced; with lush enticing harmonies. There are a few real gems, and overall a very good album by a serious artist.
Aaron is a gifted vocalist, and he overdubs his own vocals with subtle texture. It’s an amazing sound. Kyle Keegan on drums and Brad Cook on bass are tight and efficient. There is solid acoustic and electric guitar work by Aaron and others that moves from soft to bluesy with grit and polish.
The first release onto the airways is “The English and Western Stallion.” This is a love note to dearly departed Beatle legend George Harrison. It has a soft commercial sound that is quite appealing. Aaron is in complete control as he drifts with vocal aplomb.
Let’s dig in further. “Black Bush” has a catchy Caribbean beat and is quite reminiscent of late 60’s British Pop icon Donovan (Mellow Yellow). The lyrics are organic. They sing about of all forms of life: thrushes, toadys, woodpeckers…flowers in the garden, the jewels in the sea. It is hypnotic and one of the best from the album.
The first track is such a sweet sounding song until you listen to the lyrics. “Covert Discretion” is a haunting song about a life thrown into desperation. Drinking, shooting dope..things are spinning out of control, but the victim is in total denial.
So save your judgments for someone else
And be grateful I saved me from myself
Fuck you all I gotta reason to live
And I never gonna die
“El Shaddai” is a driving song…it’s artsy rock with midnight battles and a thousand horses. But it builds and builds with Tracy Bonham on the violin and Aaron on the acoustic guitar doing splendid work.
“Gimme One More” is a nice bluesy rocker. Slow and patient, it builds with increased tension. Chris Boerner doing nice work with the feedback guitar while our hero is getting his one more.
All in all, Freeman is a wonderful album that bears re-listening. While Ween may be no more, it’s comforting to know that Aaron Freeman hasn’t given up on his artistic offerings. We hope to hear more from Freeman in the future!
-Rick Melamed