Top tracks — play these first
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Wishing Well Start here — This track exemplifies Free's signature sound with its powerful vocals and catchy chorus, becoming a staple in classic rock playlists.
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Heartbreaker — The title track stands out for its emotive guitar work and dynamic shifts, showcasing the band's technical prowess and lyrical depth.
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Muddy Water — This song features a compelling blend of blues influences and hard rock energy, highlighting the band's versatility and creativity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and musicianship but lacks strong cohesion due to bonus tracks and variations.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks, including 'Wishing Well' and 'Heartbreaker', prominently feature guitar solos that are central to their structure.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
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
- wave-like emotional highs and lows
- dynamic progression with peaks
- soulful melodies for reflective moments
- late-night listening with friends
- engaging narratives through varied tracks
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification hits
- prefer short, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Includes the hit 'Wishing Well' that solidified Free's recognition.
- Themes
- bluesy grooves· early 70s rock scene· emotive guitar work
- Career context
- Released in January 1973, Heartbreaker was Free's fifth studio album, coming after their critically acclaimed record Fire and Water. At this point in their career, the band had already established themselves as a prominent act in the hard rock scene, but internal tensions were brewing, leading to their eventual breakup shortly after this release.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bad Company· The Black Crowes· Led Zeppelin
Tracklist
- 1 Wishing Well Start here 3:43
- 2 Come Together in the Morning 4:42
- 3 Travelling in Style 4:01
- 4 Heartbreaker 6:14
- 5 Muddy Water 4:17
- 6 Common Mortal Man 4:09
- 7 Easy on My Soul 3:46
- 8 Seven Angels 5:12
- 9 Wishing Well (US mix) 3:41
- 10 Let Me Show You 3:04
- 11 Muddy Water (alternative vocal) 4:20
- 12 Hand Me Down/Turn me Round 3:00
- 13 Heartbreaker (rehearsal version) 5:43
- 14 Easy on My Soul (rehearsal version) 8:40
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Bad Company
Bad Company
Shares the same bluesy grooves and soulful melodies characteristic of early 70s hard rock.
A Nod Is As Good As a Wink... to a Blind Horse
Faces
Captures a similar raw energy and emotive guitar work, embodying the spirit of early 70s rock.
Smokin'
Humble Pie
Combines bluesy rock with emotive vocals and guitar riffs, resonating with Heartbreaker's sound.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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