Description

With FREEZE FRAME, the ultimate party/bar band made a record far removed from the more purist blues moves of their earliest days. This is basically some good, very tuneful rock 'n roll. Nearly all of these cuts are really catchy. Many have a distinct 50's feel while others veer a little more towards experimental/avant-garde territory. The production is slick and solid - sometimes it's even pretty trippy. I was pretty darn young when this came out (middle school age), and of course I loved the big hits - "Centerfold," "Rage In The Cage," "Freeze Frame" and, of course, "Flamethrower" with imagesmore… of the cheerleaders at school getting down 'n dirty to its downbeat seared permanently on my little brain.

Listening to this album today, I'd say it's unique enough to still sound great to the average listener, even though some might say it does sound kinda dated (as someone who's never been particularly concerned about what's current or fashionable, this isn't really a problem for me).

My impressions:

"Freeze Frame" - an instantly recognizable series of camera clicks sets this addictive tune in motion. Great keys, horns, and that swaggering doo-wop dip is so infectious. Still way cool in my book. *****

"Rage In The Cage" - this one cranks up the intensity level and it still gets my blood flowing. *****

"Centerfold" - ah, the biggest hit and a classic expression of male sexual fantasy life. This one's still a riot. I remember some tight-wads at the time thought that it was too dirty for radio, but they played the hell out of it anyway because it's actually pretty innocent (and of course it's a great song). *****

"Do You Remember When" - has this wistful, romantic quality that (some) chicks will dig. ****

"Insane, Insane Again" - this one's a trip, a hyper kinetic romp with vocalist Peter Wolf sounding like a real maniac. The band's excellent pop musicianship is in full effect as the song morphs into bizarre Walt Disney moves and a raging piano solo. *****

"Flamethrower" - maybe I'm biased, but I think this one still sounds sexy. It may be the best on the album. *****

"River Blindness" - strangely enough, this is my absolute favorite track on FREEZE FRAME, and I tend to listen to it much more than the others these days. This one ventures quite a bit further into left field than any of the other tracks do. There's something so evocative about this song - my brain has created an entire visual scenario to accompany it which I can totally get lost in when I'm lying in the dark, completely tripping out on it (the scenario is based on "Dungeons & Dragons" - another relic of my past I wouldn't mind revisiting). A trippy, intense, unusual track. Reaches a great climax. *****+

"Angel In Blue" - this one's got a great melody and it does rock although it's much slower and sadder than the other songs. It isn't really my cup of tea, but sometimes I'm in the mood for it. *****

"Piss On The Wall" - I recall playing this one in secret because I knew it definitely WOULD piss off my parents if they heard it (and I normally never felt a need to do that). It's a great rockabilly-style groover, really funny too. *****

Ya know, 50's rock 'n roll is still some of the best rock ever made and if you can appreciate that as well as have a taste for the slightly weird, you might really go for this album. An 80's classic.

Tracks

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Info:

Category:

Music > Albums

Case Type:

CD

Release Type:

Retail

Comments:

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Cover Info:

Title:

The J. Geils Band - Freeze Frame (1990) Retail CD

Part:

Front

Dimensions:

1400 x 1400 px

Size:

469 KB

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Uploaded:

Report a Problem Wrong Cover Duplicate Image Bad Quality Wrong Info

14/11/07 by johnk5150

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