Customer Reviews

Free

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I discovered Jann Arden soon after she released her debut album, in a CD store in Jerusalem (Israel) of all places. I followed her career ever since and I have almost all her CDs. I even went to see her performing in Seattle in 2008 (she was excellent).
In each album there are several songs that I think are simply brilliant. For example, 'The Sound of' from 'Happy?', or her rendering of 'Love is a Battlefield' from 'Uncover me'.

Naturally, it is hard for any artist to generate new music that sounds as appealing and interesting as in their earlier releases. Even the greatest ones start to repeat themselves after a while. So I setup my expectations accordingly when I ordered this CD.

Well, after several listenings I can say that this CD exceeded my expectaions. There are some really great tunes on this album (e.g. tracks 1,3,5,7,8,9,10).
Arden still sounds down to earth, yet powerful, the way she has been on previous albums. But there is something else about this album. The vibe is more calm, more accepting (I haven't read the lyrics carefully yet, but that's the vibe I get from the music or maybe it is the production). Overall, I think this album is somewhat more coherent and solid than previous releases and every time I listen to it I like it more.

Its sad that this very talented singer and writer can't even get a deal of some kind in the US?? Sent away to Canada for this one but
its worth every bid of the cost of admission. I can't even think of
many these days that can write such witty, deep words to go along with her beautiful vocals. She has such a way with her one liners, its no wonder she is also so funny during her live sets. FREE is full of what she does best, draws you in with those
melodies and pulls out your heart in the journey, many songs are about relationships that have soured and the after effects. ALL THE DAYS is one of the most moving songs I've heard from Jann in years about getting older and the ones we choose to travel with to the end of our days. From the opening cut FREE to A MILLION MILES AWAY, DAUGHTER DOWN, THE DEVIL WON, this talent should be heard again in the USA. FREE is a nice change of pace for Jann, its bolder, great background vocals, intense.

Jann never ceases to amaze me, her music is so touching, so relateable and so likeable and the voice, it gives me chills each time I hear her soar.
I have loved her music since her first hit and have continued to follow her career all the way down here in Australia. It took a while for me to get this album and it wasn't cheap by the time it got to me ($40) but it is worth every cent.
The amazing lead single and title track Free is a heartwrentching ballad with a beautiful film clip to match, I love the line "I'm feelin' better, now that your stuff's out in the yard" cause we've all felt like that before.
The breezy Yeah You and the touching Lost all make this one of the best Jann albums I own, she is a true talent. Come back to Australia Jann, please!

Instead of prattling on in detail about this album, I will just say: It is sonically and lyrically gorgeous. Absolutely stunningly fantastic. If you're even a tiny-bit of a Jann Arden fan, you MUST get this CD. And if you're not, I highly recommend it as your introduction to her. I do believe it is my all-time favorite Jann album. I never tire of it.

This is one of the best CD's that Jann Arden has out. She really knows a lot about life and how to express it in her music.

Loved this CD. Every song is well written and back up vocals are performed by my favorite country group SheDaisy! Great music for a rainy day!

After 3 somewhat mediocre CDs (Love Is the Only Soldier, Jann Arden and Cover Me are all very average), Jann has returned with Free -- a very good collection of solid songs and a nice performances. While not of the quality of her earlier releases -- Living Under June, Happy? and Blood Red Cherry are all top not notch and higly recommended -- Free is an overall fine CD. A couple of clunkers in the mix but overall it is good to have her back!