Freakwater – “What the People Want” (Singles Going Steady)

Emmanuel Elone: Freakwater certainly brings a nice country twang to “What the People Want”. The mandolin and guitar weave in and out of one another perfectly as the vocals soar and float above the rustic sounds. Like all good folk and country acts, Freakwater’s vocals and guitar work together to tell a somber, touching story all their own. It’s quaint, it’s raw, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. [7/10]

Chris Ingalls: The dark bluegrass of Freakwater paints a picture that’s bleak but the descriptions are vivid. I love the combination of traditional instrumentation (banjo, fiddle) and high, almost cinematic drama. The song is brief and simple but potent. Unlike whatever current crop of bluegrass revivalists are simply exploring Americana for the cash value, Freakwater possess a refreshing authenticity. [8/10]

Steve Horowitz: A little gothic entertainment that reminds us of the dangers of the world. I understand that evil exists, but the song is too pat. We are all sons and daughters, but we are not all victims and perpetrators. That said, the song resonates eerily in the tradition of old murder ballads, and the video captures the menace of living in a world where other people may already be our enemies. [7/10]

Chad Miller: There’s almost nonstop clashing in the vocal department which isn’t always a good thing in the song. There’s a story here, and I’m interested in the spectacle of the song, but it just takes way too long to tell it, interrupting the narrative with “Whose baby are you anyway?” at any chance Freakwater gets. By the time the story gets back on track I’ve already lost interest in piecing anything together, if there’s anything important to string together to begin with. [5/10]

SCORE: 6.75