CD REVIEW: BEAUVOIR FREE – American Trash

Label: Frontiers Music

Release Date: June 9, 2015

Rating: 8.5/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

Some artists release new material and it HAS to be heard.  Crown of Thorns alumni Jean Beauvoir and Micki Free paired up and have released new music on the world in the form of American Trash.  Disc opener “Angels Cry” is a solid rocker that starts off a little heavy, but soon morphs into the melodic rock fans have come to expect from the pair.  The guitars, bass, and vocals are solid and build the track from open to close.  “Morning After” is a moody rocker that is less CoT and more of a new direction for the band.  The vocals are strong and are accentuated by the riffs between chorus and verse.  “Whiplash” is a cool bluesy track that gives Free a little room to run with a thumping bass line that directs the tempo of the track when the chorus and second verse kicks in full swing.  “Shotgun To The Heart” comes barreling at you and is all rock and no filler.  The songs tempo keeps the mood of the disc up and the rock quotient dial in with great riffs and heavy bass lines.  Rocker “Cold Dark December” comes chugging through your speakers thanks to a sexy bottom end, compliments of Free and his bass, and choppy guitars that add depth to the track and the disc.  “She’s A KO” has a feel good party mood musically, despite the muted vocals during the verse and chorus.

Title track “American Trash” is a fun track that get s push from the guitar opening, but soon brings the Beauvoir vocal swagger to the forefront and gives the disc a cool anthem rocker.  “Just Breathe” is a beautiful piece that opens with a killer piano and Beauvoir duet that demonstrates the pairs ability to write and perform a cool ballad despite their collective rock and funk pedigrees.  “Never Give Up” comes off like a filler acoustic track, but if you listen through and give it a chance, you will find the talent in these guys, even when the volume and intensity are dialed down a bit.  The emotion of the lyrics are evident in the vocals.  “It’s Never Too Late” features a simple rhythm section, but it carries the track from beginning to end, as does Beauvoir’s lead vocals.  The style of the track is different from others here, but it fits the mold of the disc as a whole.  “There’s No Starting Over” gives us one more listen to some killer riffs and vocals from Beauvoir as well as some thunderous bass lines from Free.  The vocals at the chorus are layered perfectly and give the track an additional texture, giving the disc a great closing track.

Tracklisting: Angels Cry – Morning After – American Trash – Whiplash – Just Breathe – Shotgun To The Heart – Never Give Up – Cold Dark December – It’s Never Too Late – She’s A KO – There’s No Starting Over

BEAUVOIR FREE LINKS:

FACEBOOK (Jean Beauvoir)

TWITTER (Jean Beauvoir)

FACEBOOK (Micki Free)

TWITTER (Micki Free)

Category: CD Reviews