Free
Concrete Blonde · 1989
33 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
A visceral blend of alternative rock and poignant storytelling, marked by raw emotional intensity and vibrant instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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God Is a Bullet — This track encapsulates the album's emotional intensity and lyrical depth, addressing themes of violence and loss while showcasing the band's signature sound.
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Run Run Run — With its driving beat and urgent vocals, this song reflects a sense of escape and urgency that resonates throughout the album's narrative.
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Scene of a Perfect Crime — The haunting melody paired with vivid storytelling elevates this track, making it a standout example of Concrete Blonde's lyrical prowess and musicality.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances energetic and introspective moments, showcasing strong songwriting and production choices.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track, 'God Is a Bullet', which sets a driving pace that is maintained through the first half.
- Several tracks feature dynamic shifts in instrumentation, such as 'Help Me', where the verses are more subdued before exploding into the chorus.
- The last three tracks slow down significantly, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with the earlier intensity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short tracks for quick engagement
- haunting melodies with grit
- undistracted full-album listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer immersive albums
- seek high-energy dance tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1989, Free was Concrete Blonde's third studio album, following their breakthrough with the self-titled debut and the critically acclaimed 'Bloodletting'. By this point, the band had solidified their sound while navigating commercial pressures and artistic ambitions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Cranberries· Lush· Garbage
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 God Is a Bullet 4:23
- 2 Run Run Run 4:00
- 3 It’s Only Money 2:45
- 4 Help Me 2:42
- 5 Sun 2:36
- 6 Roses Grow 3:15
- 7 Scene of a Perfect Crime 4:42
- 8 Happy Birthday 2:22
- 9 Little Conversations 2:48
- 10 Carry Me Away 3:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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