Edge of Free's Self-Titled Debut
by Kevin Wierzbicki
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There are lots of ways to make music sound dramatic; big drum flourishes, synthesizer swooshes and screeching guitars will all do the trick. But sometimes less is more, and the members of Edge of Free are well aware of this. Make no mistake, the guys --- singer Scott Sneddon, guitarist John Hussey, bass man Chris Autry and drummer Steve Ebe --- are rockers. But it is Hussey's guitar playing that makes the difference here. While Hussey does play electric guitar, it is his work on acoustic that really shines; on opening cut "Blood Eagle" he falls into a bluesy groove that gives the song an ominous overtone that's perfect for a cut that flirts with a grunge sound, and on "Pony," when it's time for the guitar solo, Hussey rocks out with some acoustic finger picking. Hussey's acoustic intro to "Higher" also hints at drama to come and sure enough when the band kicks in, Sneddon sings of getting "Higher than I want to feel." The lyrics do not mention drugs but the song seems to be about the nearly inevitable outcome that comes from a serious addiction. Sneddon's voice is both emotional and roadhouse raspy, and those qualities combined with lyrics that are generally a bit vague give the listener a chance to just drift off to the music, especially on "Autumn," the album's most understated piece and the closest thing to a ballad that Edge of Free offers here. Edge of Free is not quite an "unplugged" effort but it a great example of how a band can do some serious rocking without any bombast. Get your copy here
Edge of Free's Self-Titled Debut
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