Freedom is a powerful concept. As an American, it’s something for an individual to be proud of and is a sacred right for all people. This idea makes Lara Taubman’s latest album, “The Gospel Of Getting Free,” one that feels inherently resonant. It begins with “Home At Last” and instantly makes an impression.
The track starts off with a flourishing of wavy guitars and groovy percussion. The smooth crooning of Lara Taubman takes center stage immediately to tell a powerful story of breaking free. Lines such as “and the desert became her new home. Raised a girl, made sure she never felt alone” and “what would the desert bring, this girl and her gold ring” embody these feelings while they ride on the groovy basslines and melodic, free-wheeling guitars. With some poppin’ percussion that keeps the track grounded, “Home At Last” creates an uplifting and optimistic vibe with a powerful message of perseverance.
Another stand-out track is “The Odyssey.” Reverb-laced acoustic guitars and contemplative piano keys create a soft and reflective atmosphere. It works perfectly to prop-up the emotionally powerful vocal performance. Lara Taubman’s partially spoken-word aesthetic is instantly gripping and allows her story to sink in as the words enter your mind. It makes lines such as “so many times I ask myself, ‘how did I get here?’ I wanted love but love was fear” hit hard as they begin softly and rise to meet the emotional weight they are presenting. While far from the only emotionally powerful track on the album, “The Odyssey” is one that makes the heart of Taubman’s story and its growth unmistakably palpable.
The next track, “Sugar,” is another that instantly separates itself from the rest. From the top, it hits you with a sludgy and distorted bass groove that creeps forward. The airy guitars and keys give the grinding distortions of the bassline some levity and creates a good balance for Taubman’s vocal performance. Even when the track leans into the alternative rock style around the halfway mark, the composition gives it a bluesy sound that makes it easy to move with. “Sugar” is a track with a deceptively playful that boldly toys with matters of the heart that gives it some punch, especially after a track like “The Odyssey.”
The title track is one that begins with a contemplative guitar melody. It makes for a gripping backdrop to the story that Lara Taubman tells about a chosen boy who can bring life and about how his life changed as he grew. Lines such as “the day it came, he was a man, to him they gave his mission. Find a secret, a magic cup, resigned to his perdition” and the chorus tell a heartfelt tale of discovery and self-realization. The percussion that kicks in during the chorus gives “The Gospel of Getting Free” a weight that mirrors the heavy emotion in the story it tells and is not a track to be skipped.
Lara Taubman’s latest album is a musical tour de force. From the top, “Home At Last” gives the listener a strong start to jump off from with “The Siren” getting straight to the heart of the matter right afterwards. It sets a good tone for the rest of the album as it is a rollercoaster ride of emotion. This tonal whiplash is key to the energy that comes from “The Gospel Of Getting Free” and is a blast to get lost in. Whether it’s the previously mentioned tracks or others that sequence in the same way, such as “The Odyssey” followed up by “Sugar,” the effect is a quirky one that gives the album an eccentricity that shouldn’t be missed.
Leave a Reply