Customer Reviews

Kites Are Fun: The Best Of The Free Design

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Okay... so I'm a youngin' who's ears are being blown away by contemporary artists exploring rich harmonies and subtle, yet thick arrangements (high llamas- for instance) and I'm browsing through the cd rack and see a band with the name, "The Free Design." I think, "Hmmm... that's the name of a single that was put out by one of my favorite bands just recently- I think I'll read the liner notes." Upon first glancing at the insert, the words "soft pop" jumped out at me. These guys were being credited with being a major influence in the soft pop movement coming out of the late 60's into the 70's- and I had NEVER heard of them before. Sure, many a child whose parents were grooving in those days has heard their share of Carpenters and a little Bacharach here and there- but this stuff is SO intricate in its harmonies and instrumentation yet SO innocent and sweet. I'm really not sure why this group is not as well known as some of their contemporaries. All I can say is that The Free Design have fermented my faith in the idea that pop music can be sophisticated while remaining youthful, loose, and vibrant all at the same time. Get this compilation... get the songs stuck in your head- start singing along... it's great fun.

I just can't get enough of this CD. If you love the Carpenters. or the Fifth Dimension, Burt Bacharach, Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66...I think this album is something you'll dig. It's got gorgeous lush harmonies, quirky subject matter, and arrangements that are hilarious...but also full of genuine love and effort. The FreeDesign calls into being the true sounds of what it might be like to hang out with Puff the Magic Dragon, how it might feel to peruse and frolic in the candy gardens of Willie Wonka. They sound like a blanket by the calm sea, they feel like sun in your hair on a blustery spring day. When I listen to the Free Design, I feel cheerful, safe and inspired, and I hope you will too.

On the flipside of the 60's guitar-and-noise excess, you had the sharp, clear harmonies of groups like the Free Design. They we're arranging baroque-pop (like Bacharach and the Beach Boys) with Mama's and the Papa's like choral verses about simple, childlike topics (kites, Ouija boards). Hopelessly square - the music is much more at home in the 21st century where groups like Stereolab have muted jazz-pop into experimental ambient-pop (listen to "Dots and Loops" for obvious influences!)

A must have for any music geek or audiophile into sessions.

This album has all top quality songs from Free Design, and would be a good introduction album for new listeners. It contains background information on the group, as well as recording studio photos. The entire album can be listened to at one sitting. It is perfect when you are in that happy-go-lucky mood. My favorites are "Bubbles", "Kije's Ouija", and "Never Tell The World". If you like retro 70's t.v. theme music, you'll dig this album.

Hard to believe this band came out of such a violent period with frothy tunes about flying kites,but yes indeed.I heard the song "Kites are fun" on a cd comp of 60s pop.I couldn't believe what I was hearing!Heavens!I liked it,though,so I bought this compilation.As I listened,visions of Stereolab danced in my head.Good golly!FREE DESIGN were so far ahead of their time.Excellent music and lyrics(either tongue in cheek or sincere(gulp)

I am a long time fan of the Free Design, they grew up in my home town of Delevan NY. Our families were friends and business partners, so this review may be a bit sided. Chris Dedrick writes beautiful melodies with clever harmonic support. These 70's style tunes continue to warm my heart. The lyrics are very original and memorable. Tunes like I Found Love and Kites are Fun set the scene for the rest of the album. I'm happy to find The Free Design out on CD.

The Dedricks are both an obscure yet fully recognizable family of crack studio musicians, wonderfully displayed in this album. Here are elements of the best vocal harmonics in modern music, who seem to have influenced untold legions of groups. Chris Dedrick is a master. Listen if you want to smile with the achieved difficulty of meshing lyrics with multi-layered vocal tracks.

...to this Free Design album. Looking through my collection of old LP's I found this one which I acquired in the '70's shortly after meeting Ellen, one of the Dedricks. I put it on the record player (yes, I still have one!) and immediately started singing along with my favorite, "Kites Are Fun," which I introduced to my nephews and goddaugther when they were young. Surprise, I actually remembered all the lyrics! Totally infectious! The fanciful songs and flawless harmonies create a rich, blissful environment. Put it on during playdates, etc., and it is sure to become a favorite. I am now gifting this CD to a new generation. Glad to see it is still around.

I grew up listening to this album on vinyl and I'm surprised and elated to find it on CD - however, there is one cut that is on the original album that is not on this CD and that is "Feelin' Goovy." Is there some reason why that was not released with this collection? That's one of my favorite renditions of that song. Overall, though, I must say that the sound these singers have is one of the cleanest, vibrant sounds around, along with The Manhattan Transfer and The Singers Unlimited.

I had this particular album on 8-track tape !! I believe that the Free Design originated in Buffalo, N.Y. I was ecstatic to find this album. It brings back so many wonderful memories. I was always very fond of "Kites are Fun" and "My Brother Woody" I have ordered the album and cant wait to get it !!