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Freedom Hawk - Self-Titled

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Music can tap into your subconscious like few other things. It provokes, inspires, angers, and saves. Certain bands, songs, or even riffs can trigger thoughts and memories instantly. Freedom Hawk, for instance, is the soundtrack to cold kegs, warm weather, and backyard barbecue. Jams like “On the Other Side” and “My Road” are what labels like Small Stone and MeteorCity were made for: worshipping at the Super Fuzz altar. James Gang riffs groove it up behind singer T.R. Morton’s excellent Ozzy/Pepper Keenan impression throughout seven songs of bong-loaded bliss.

Album closer “Hollow Caverns” is a real gem, and Freedom Hawk would do well to write more songs like it. It breaks up some of the stoner rock monotony with a laidback intro featuring a great wah riff right out of Free’s Fire and Water. It adds atmosphere, something the other tracks lack a bit. This being its second album, the band is still trying to find its voice in a big scene with innumerable influences.

Freedom Hawk also raises a question: how many bands are too many? They aren’t necessary by any means; Fu Manchu and Fireball Ministry pretty much do the exact same thing. At the same time, one has to evaluate what “necessary” means in regards to music. You can only listen to the progenitors so many times before craving something new. This album set out to do something, and by all accounts it succeeded. You’re not going to catch COC or Kyuss at the bar down the street, but these guys might be there. And depending on how many beers you down, they might just be the best band on the planet.

— Chris Rowella

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