Independent
Release Date: March 29th 2024
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Home Free– Crazy (er) Life (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Any Way The Wind Blows (Home Free’s Version)
- Your Man (Home Free’s Version)
- Everything Will Be Okay (Home Free’s Version)
- Jump Right In (Home Free’s Version)
- I’ve Seen (Home Free’s Version)
- Wake Me Up (Home Free’s Version)
- Ring Of Fire (Home Free’s Version)
- Hunter Hayes Medley (Home Free’s Version)
- A Little Bit Of Everything (Home Free’s Version)
- Champagne Taste (On A Beer Budget) (Home Free’s Version)
- Crazy Life (Home Free’s Version)
So, it’s about a month after Christmas, 2024. We’ve been faced with yet another rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, and the shopping centre has just finished playing Michael Buble’s Christmas album on repeat! We’re all just a tad ‘tired’ of hearing the same old carols, despite how impacting and inspiring they are in isolation and in small doses; while we’re itching to hear something new and creative. Presents have been wrapped and given and maybe regifted as well, people are dreading the inevitable moment of conversing with their friends and family again after the conversations of taboo topics at the Christmas dinner/lunch table. Unfortunately, we’re all still unkind to our neighbours and we’re all so mean to each other. The littlest things divide us, and everywhere you look, families are being torn apart; quite frankly because of the polarising topics of religion, politics, abortion, gender, cancel culture and much, much more, that we actually ‘aren’t allowed’ to talk about at the dinner table, but do anyway. Our big mouths have in effect caused the downfall of many healthy strong friendships and relationships; and if we all were slower to speak and quicker to listen, then I’d say that the world would be in a much better place. And though it may take a while for all of us to be on the same page again, and for all of us to have a healthy dialogue and discourse; I firmly believe that music is going to play a part in us having unity and friendship and harmony again. Not that we didn’t have that before; but I reckon that because music is the universal language, it can break down barriers, and help us forge and strengthen common bonds. Especially during Christmas time or in the January period which is still the holiday period in my opinion, one album that I have found recently that can promote unity and peace amongst us, is Home Free’s latest studio album Crazy (er) Life.
I doubt anyone would know who Home Free is. For the uneducated, they’re an acapella group that is… mildly successful. You can read about them on their website and Wikipedia page, but think about them as a slightly less successful version of Pentatonix. If Pentatonix was the cool, impressive and popular older brother, and up and coming Youtuber Peter Hollens (another acapella artist) is like the independent middle child who is slightly misunderstood but loved anyway; then Home Free (comprising of Adam Bell-Bastien, Rob Lundquist, Adam Rupp, Tim Foust, and Adam Chance) could be compared to the maybe underappreciated little brother- in terms of acapella music. The one that nobody even looks at, the one that gets ‘forgotten’ about. I think I would have never listened to Home Free had it not been for I think Peter Hollens promoting their work on one video way back in the day. And so, when the group revealed their latest album Crazy (er) Life (a re-recording of their 2014 album Crazy Life), I was intrigued. Sure, it was an album full of originals and covers that we’ve virtually all heard before. However, there’s still something about this release that brings a smile to my face, and if I can be inspired and encouraged by this acapella project about love, life and everything in between, then I’m sure you all will be too.
There isn’t really much to say about this release. Crazy (er) Life, with intense emphasis on the harmonies and incredible vocal moments from all 5 lead singers, reminds us all that this release, as with every other Home Free album, is epically awesome. For those not familiar with Home Free, there’s Land Of The Free (their patriotic album!), and also a another cover album in As Seen On TV. There’s an original album in So Long Dixie; and as someone who lives in Australia, I have listened to many albums- inclusive of this project and a number of songs have resonated with me. Maybe it’s because I love acapella music. Maybe it’s because there are some covers which are skilfully and powerfully recorded. But there’s something about Home Free that tugs at my heart and at my emotions, no matter what they are singing about. And so, should you listen to this project, even if you’re over saturated in acapella songs? I don’t know, this album might not be for everyone, especially for those who don’t love acapella. Or those who love Pentatonix better. But I’d say, give it a go. I reckon you might find something special here. If not today, then possibly over the next few days, weeks, and months.
3 songs to listen to: Everything Will be Okay, Wake Me Up, Crazy Life
Score: 4.5/5
RIYL: Pentatonix, Peter Hollens, Cimorelli, Megan Nicole, Kurt Hugo Schneider