Customer Reviews

The Portable Atmospheres

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

 

 

Freshwater Collins are the funk gods of the Midwest. I feel sorry for anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to hear them. If seeing them live doesn't make you want to get out of your chair and start dancing on the table then you have no soul. All of their albums are great but this one in particular shines because of the drum work of Anthony Olson, the heart of Freshwater's rhythm section. Tony is a powerhouse behind the kit and he's well-known for his skills all the way over in England where he tore the roof off on numerous occasions at the legendary Harrow. This CD is a gift to the groove.

...I saw Collins in Chicago and they really rock on stage. The music is fresh but doesn't ignore it's roots. The 70s funk-rock references are present but tastefully muted. While this album is great and I highly recommend buying it, keep an eye open for them in a local club or music festival. Their performance is a show stopper.

There are two tragedies that surround this great album - 1) So few people have heard of FWC, and 2) This (and any) album pales in comparison to seeing Freshwater live. Many of these songs serve as templates for live performances, which often showcase lead singer Chris Vos overflowing with emotion and pounding his guitar or jumping like a maniac.
Three songs easily stick out as mainstays for live performances:
Blue Sparkle Fade - the stage for Vos' incredible talent at the slide guitar

Footdown - hosting an incredible breakdown section at the song's middle that will bury you in its energy and decisiveness
Eastside Tweed - probably the band's most popular song, due to its catchiness, fluidity, and personal touch (probably everyone who lives in Milwaukee has been to Bradford Beach at some point).
Toss in Recipes for Persephany and Route 66 to Yokohama, and you've got a clear idea of the sound of this band at its roots. Sophomore effort Lean Back shows a bit more development with fewer instrumental ditties, making it the better album, but any fan needs to have both. (Take it from me - I've seen them live over twenty times).

I am not your typical fan of the funk, but I could not ignore the raw polish and subtle intensity of this release. Truly, it is the post-retro funk album for our times. Driving force Tony "T-Bone" Olson shows a maturity and energy only hinted at in his early work out of London for Harrow Records (not released domestically, look for it on a forthcoming collection of b-sides). An instant addition to my Top 10 funk albums out of Milwaukee this year.