Imaginary Freds: Press

Imaginary Freds - Near Life Experience, Flaming Lawnmower Records
This extremely diverse group is more free-range musically than a dancing organic chicken. They manage to master a variety of genres. From new wave to folk to roackabilly to country to blues and punk, this is one group that does not confine themselves. All five members provide vocals on different songs, which proves to be a powerful attribute. Also, a plethora of instruments, including a mandolin, electric and acoustic guitars, double bass, harmonica, Dobro and percussions give Near Life Experience more spice than blackened catfish. As a band, they play tighter than Chinese finger cuffs, and you can definitely hear it. Additionally, Jeff Lipton at Peerless mastered the CD, which gives it a super-clean sound. Five Stars

The result of their ardent labor should be appreciated. With a serious change of course from garage rock to a mix of folk, rock, blues, country it takes a little getting used to the new sound from this quintet. The opening track keeps on intrigueing me ... and just like that funky "Too Many Questions" it qualifies itself for the playlist of Radio 1 programs als Pili Pili, Eldorado, Shuffle. Versatility trumps and that is largely due to the fact that the "Imaginary Freds" avail themselves of five first-rate throats, of which the owners of four are also perfect masters of the songwriting craft...no matter "What Kind of Love" they ever used.... this album is a"Beautiful Child"! * * * *

With the release of their debut CD, Imaginary Freds have moved from the garage into the limelight. The Imaginary Freds full length CD consists of 13 original songs penned by four of the band members. Playing an eclectic mix of country, folk, blues, rock, and punk, Imaginary Freds sound at various times like Joan Baez, The B-52's, Al Anderson, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lucinda Williams, and George Thorogood -- mighty heady company indeed. There is a little something in here for everyone, and it will be tough for the mainstream to pigeonhole Imaginary Freds -- which is a Very Good Thing. I recommend this CD for anyone who is absolutely put off by the drivel that passes for mainstream radio these days. It gets my rating of 4 out of 5 guitar picks.