With producer/engineer Josh Antonuccio at the helm (Bradley Hathaway, Southeast Engine), the boys kept their original focus on melody with a new goal to produce full, engaging songs. "This was the first time we had the money to do exactly what we wanted in the studio without watching the clock..." says Dave "so we took our time for once."
A 12 song LP, Look Both Ways has 8 brand new songs, alongside 4 previously released and reworked tunes. "There were a few songs we didn't feel were completed or represented correctly, so we really thought it was best to re-work them." Bobby says. Sitting amongst the 4 previously released tunes is crowd favorite sing-a-long Dogfarm which was previously released as an acoustic version on the Elliot EP (Dogfarm Records). "Dogfarm is definitely a rock song now..." Dave laughs.
The record also has a few cameos, most notable of which is Fuzzy Sammuels who has shared the stage and been employed by the likes of CSNY, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton to name a few. "He was actually the bass player for CSNY's song Ohio..." Dave states. "Pretty surreal...it was nice to have his input."
Thus far the biggest highlight of the new material seems to be the stompy alt/country feel of Underground, written after the boys split with their former management. "We love those guys to death and they're still dear friends, but this song is really the anti-thesis of everything they wanted us to be, " Bobby says
Upon receiving the tracks from Jeff Lipton at Peerless Mastering (Wilco, Soul Asylum) Freely will be releasing the album initially on their own label Dogfarm Records. Plans are also in place to hunt for additional label support and to hit the road heavy again in the Summer on a 25 city tour to promote the release. Stops include several Ohio cities alongside Minneapolis, Chicago, Nashville, Knoxville, and Asheville, N.C. to name a few. "We'll be sleeping in the van a lot, or our cars if we can't find a van...." Dave adds.
For more information or to preview songs from the album, visit JakobFreely.com.
------------------------------------
STILL HAVEN'T PURCHASED JF'S 2007 RELEASE? READ WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE "ELLIOT EP:"
"With 'The Elliot EP,' Jakob Freely show off their most sophisticated arrangements and best songwriting to date. It's the most addictive CD I've gotten this year."
- Brian Butts Cincinnati.com
"This album blends eclectic sounds into a well-paced alternative indie mix. I was quite impressed and even added the first track to my computer in my 'blast the speakers to keep you motivated' folder. I'm sure we all have one of those. If you have yet to select a track to promote as a single, I would definately suggest the first track. I loved it!"
- Jennifer Blix CD 101 Columbus, OH
"The record, as a whole, leaves listeners with an unshakable, optimistic feeling. The energetic nature of each hit will instantly shake away any bad mood."
- Kelly Vormelker SpeakEasy Magazine
"Invokes the better days of Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner, in terms of writing serious, intelligent pop songs that you can play on an acoustic guitar"
-The Other Paper
--------------------
ENTER YOUR INFORMATION BELOW TO RECEIVE A TEXT MESSAGE WHEN WE'RE PLAYING IN YOUR AREA NEXT.
Sign up for the Jakob Freely Mailing List and be the first to know about JF News!