Search - Free Design :: Kites Are Fun: The Best Of The Free Design

My heart is touching my adam's apple

Loney John Hutchins | Nashville, TN | 06/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okay... so I'm a youngin' who's ears are being blown away by contemporary artists exploring rich harmonies and subtle, yet thick arrangements (high llamas- for instance) and I'm browsing through the cd rack and see a band with the name, "The Free Design." I think, "Hmmm... that's the name of a single that was put out by one of my favorite bands just recently- I think I'll read the liner notes." Upon first glancing at the insert, the words "soft pop" jumped out at me. These guys were being credited with being a major influence in the soft pop movement coming out of the late 60's into the 70's- and I had NEVER heard of them before. Sure, many a child whose parents were grooving in those days has heard their share of Carpenters and a little Bacharach here and there- but this stuff is SO intricate in its harmonies and instrumentation yet SO innocent and sweet. I'm really not sure why this group is not as well known as some of their contemporaries. All I can say is that The Free Design have fermented my faith in the idea that pop music can be sophisticated while remaining youthful, loose, and vibrant all at the same time. Get this compilation... get the songs stuck in your head- start singing along... it's great fun."

Free Design are Fun!!

mooghead | Seattle, WA United States | 04/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On the flipside of the 60's guitar-and-noise excess, you had the sharp, clear harmonies of groups like the Free Design. They we're arranging baroque-pop (like Bacharach and the Beach Boys) with Mama's and the Papa's like choral verses about simple, childlike topics (kites, Ouija boards). Hopelessly square - the music is much more at home in the 21st century where groups like Stereolab have muted jazz-pop into experimental ambient-pop (listen to "Dots and Loops" for obvious influences!) A must have for any music geek or audiophile into sessions."

Top notch songs; good compilation. Good for newcomers.

J. Parr | 12/15/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album has all top quality songs from Free Design, and would be a good introduction album for new listeners. It contains background information on the group, as well as recording studio photos. The entire album can be listened to at one sitting. It is perfect when you are in that happy-go-lucky mood. My favorites are "Bubbles", "Kije's Ouija", and "Never Tell The World". If you like retro 70's t.v. theme music, you'll dig this album."