Album Review—

The Roller Coaster World

Of Dexter Freebish Sounds Good

By Eme Walker

Dexter Freebish’s Electric Roller Ride is gone, but in its wake the defunct roller coaster in Houston, Texas, left an even better ride: Dexter Freebish, the band.

After being signed by Capitol Records in March 1999, Dexter Freebish won Song of the Year in the highly regarded John Lennon Songwriting Contest with its single “Leaving Town.” The Lennon Award may have been a huge achievement for the five-member band, but an even bigger success was the release of its 2000 debut album, A Life of Saturdays.

The first track, “Leaving Town,” is a winner. It is an exhilarating ride with energetic rock vibrations and hopeful lyrics that leave listeners dreaming of a life full of sheer contentment.

Any female will find the second track, “My Madonna,” flattering and beautiful. With soulful lyrics, the song is a dedication to a larger than life woman who is the “leader of her own world order … a goddess of her own religion …”

On the other end of the spectrum is the pumped up dance-rock track, “Wonderland.” This song is fast-paced and rhythmic. It is a perfect road trip track.

The Clash-styled punk rock spirit of “Deeper” is a thrilling roller coaster ride. The exaggerated highs and lows of the track give fans the feeling of flying.

It’s no surprise that Dexter Freebish is doing so well. Its music is diverse, to say the least. A Life of Saturdays is energetic, dramatic and unique. An amazing blend of hard-edged guitars, climatic ups and downs and artistic rock beats make the album relaxing and fun at the same time.

(Eme Walker is a senior at Newtown High School and a member of the NHS student newspaper, The Hawkeye).