Josh Fix, "Free At Last" review reprinted from ThisIsWhatWeDoNow.com:
"Holy motherfucking shit. Where did this guy come from? I had initially heard the lead single off this album, "Don't Call Me in the Morning," last year, and instantly loved it, but figured there'd be no way he could pull off the insane catchiness of this song across an entire album. Turns out I was dead wrong. "Free At Last" is a stunning accomplishment. I read a review that called his style "Queen meets Elton John," which definitely isn't that far off, although it's probably closer to "Queen meets a wide variety of awesome piano-based power-pop bands with a little bit of soul and R&B tossed in for good measure." Fix arranges the songs primarily around his piano, but man, does this album fucking rock. If your blood pressure doesn't get going with the thumping and joyously soul-uplifting "Jethro" (seriously, try listening to this song without a huge smile plastering itself across your face when the chorus comes on), rollicking and bombastic "Whiskey & Speed" and "Tiger on a Treadmill," then I can't help you. Fix also does slow-burn ballads with equal dexterity, as evidenced by the title track, "Rock and Roll Slut" and "The Water in My Brain." This guy is a huge talent and absolutely, criminally under-the-radar. This is a phenomenal album - not only 100% in the top ten of 2008, but a serious contender for album of the year. Oh yeah, and did I mention he plays every instrument on this record but drums? Sweet Jesus, just buy this already.
We came, we played, we drank.
Clubs, stadiums and local public restrooms.
Queen, Paul Simon, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, ELO, Jellyfish, Muse, Frank Zappa, John Lennon, poverty, insomnia and general dirtiness of mind and body.
Emerson upright piano, Fender Jazz Bass, Schecter Ultra III, Carr amps, Budda amps, Fender amps, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Hammond B3, Alesis QS8.1, Pro Tools, MachFive, Reason, Ibanez semi-hollow body guitar,
Lick it up, because it's no sin to be good to yourself
