Review Summary: Did you 5-Star Get Ready 2 Rokk? If so, you should probably give this a listen.
Freezepop is a Boston-born band that is likely already somewhat familiar to anyone that has been playing with guitar shaped controllers from day one. Comprised of Liz Enthusiasm, The Other Sean T. Drinkwater (which is a robotic clone of the original Sean T. Drinkwater) and The Duke of Candied Apples, the trio have actually had a number of songs grace the soundtracks of many video games. Arguably the most significant track to be featured,
Get Ready 2 Rokk was one of many bonus tracks that could be unlocked for play on the original Guitar Hero title.
One listen to Freezepop’s
Freezepop Forever, from which
Get Ready 2 Rokk originated, may illustrate just why the band has had such success in the gamer world. The integral component to the Freezepop sound is the QY70, a small midi sequencer with an aural likeness to early Nintendo portable gaming consoles… and I mean the ones that took four AA batteries. Essentially, the album’s end result is how it would sound if you were to write pop music on a Gameboy, but listen to the title track if you really want to know what this band is all about.
If your foray into Freezepop was not to immediately obtain the Guitar Hero song, you should know that doing so could leave you with a track with considerably less guitar presence. In fact, ironically enough, the only guitar found on the album is the guitar synth that can be found in
Get Ready 2 Rokk, so if that was what captured your interest I’m sorry to say you may be disappointed.
Don’t dismiss
Freezepop Forever for this reason alone though, as it boasts a handful of really catchy songs that you’d be hard pressed not to want to dance and/or sing along too in time. The fact is that this is lighthearted dance-y synth-pop music, and pretty damn good songwriting at the core. The lyrics are playful and sometimes silly, ranging from robot friends, boy crushes and matchmaking, but the driving groove of beeps and beats throughout the album is pretty consistent. There are a few tracks where things can slow up a bit and deter from the dance motif, but overall it’s an infectious and fun listen.
The most important thing to know with this album is that even if you’ve heard some songs in the past you truly haven’t heard Freezepop until you have heard a Freezepop album. Also, if remixes are your thing, the Decepticon mix of
Science Genius Girl at the end is more than just a filler track, and a great example of the potential for future mixes.
Freezepop Forever is a good starting point for the trio and, though it may not click as well as it can at all times, it is a unique release that establishes Freezepop’s identity and a sound to be built upon. Those that enjoy the album are also strongly encouraged to look into the later releases in the discography, especially the remixes in
Fashion Impression Function.
Recommended Tracks:
Tracey Gold
Freezepop Forever
Science Genius Girl (Decepticon Remix)
