Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I was half expecting to give this a glowing review. For one thing, Freeway are a five-piece band based in a Reading fellowship attended by one of Britain's most brilliant (and underrated) musicians, blues rocker Larry Miller. Larry didn't play on this album but he did suggest Freeway send Cross Rhythms a review copy. For another thing, 'Behind The Smiles' has an imaginative sleeve design. And even a cursory listen reveals that the band's songwriters - guitarist Stephen Bruce, vocalist Nicci Gilchrist and percussionist Richard Clements - have lots of good melodic ideas while lyrics like those used on Ecclesiastes-based "Security" and the effecting denouncement of social apathy, "Got His Hide Dirty" ("I don't take time to know my neighbour/His pain would only make me sigh//But while I sit and watch the TV/Made-up heartaches make me cry") show that Nicci can write an excellent lyric. It's ironic then that it's Ms Gilchrist's lead vocals which stop me giving this album glowing praise. Don't get me wrong. Her pitching is perfect and her sweet toned voice works well enough on the slow songs. But as soon as the tempo is upped the problems start. Put simply, her voice isn't suited to the punchy pop rock of the faster songs so that the overall effect is thin-sounding and distinctly underwhelming. A shame as songs and instrumental accompaniment are well above the average independent release.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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