The Free Press – Half Truths and Whole Lies

Half Truths and Whole Lies disregards the template normally lurking in a politically charged record.  That is, the brooding, finger wagging, brow furrowing political album that peppers most musical genres I can think of.  There’s nothing wrong with serious records, but it’s always nice to see someone try something a little different as The Free Press have done. 

Half Truths and Whole Lies  is a fun, accessible, polished record.  The instrumentation is pretty dynamic throughout the album, in which the band express strong pop music sensibilities.  They also give hints here and there to a collectively diverse and rich musical background, and for me it was these moments that made the record.  The harmonies in love and wonder where unimpeachable. 

Half Truths and Whole Lies starts and ends really well. The album is kicked off with “State of Emergency”, a straight up fun rock and roll song with some real drive to it.  The final track, “The Only Way Home” is a beautiful song, I think it’s better left unexplained.  Just listen to it.  There’s something in that track for everyone.  I think that might sum up the The Free Press, insofar as Half Truths and Full Lies would have me believe.

- Anthony Damiao

Catch Toronto’s The Free Press LIVE at Little Bean Coffee Bar in Kitchener Friday Jan. 28th. Doors at 8:30 PM, $5.

Click here to listen and buy Half Truths and Whole Lies

Miss Angel Brown

By John French

Born in Prairie Point, Mississippi and raised for the most part by her grandparents, Miss Angel Brown was raised in a world of singing. For some musicians musical prowess is something to strive for, but for Miss Angel Brown it’s clear that it runs in her blood. She treats the blues with the utmost sensitivity and respect. Miss Angel Brown also wiggles some ragtime elements into her music which will leave you bobbing and nodding in your seat.

Miss Angel Brown didn’t consider herself a singer, feeling that title was best reserved for the likes of Aretha Franklin. Despite her modesty there is no doubt in my mind that she is every bit the phenomenal vocalist. A song like “Cut You Loose”can transport the listener to the smoke-and-whiskey bar room with its warm vocals and jumpy piano.

We are fortunate to have Miss Angel Brown in our musical community and this is due in part to her late husband Mel Brown. Though we lost Mel Brown in 2009 it was the influence on Miss Angel’s life that he had that brought her to the world of music. “He could get you to do what he thought you were capable of doing without you feeling like he was beating you over the head”, remembers Miss Angel Brown of Mel. “We got tangled up in each other and couldn’t’t let each other go.” It was in 1982 when Mel was recording B.B King’s “Rock Me Baby” when Miss Angel stepped up to the plate. She demonstrated a different way for Mel to sing the song, and in no time at all Miss Angel was on the record herself doing the vocals.

It’s plain as day to hear the love in Miss Angel’s voice when she sings. Love for the music, love for her audience and most of all love for the man that helped get her to where she is today. She still lives in Kitchener, the city that Mel loved and performs at The Boathouse in Victoria Park every Sunday.

Do yourself a favour, come out to Little Bean Coffee Bar and listen for yourself to Miss Angel Brown perform. Take a musical vacation down south with her and the Homewreckers this Friday starting at 9:00. There’s no cover charge and the atmosphere is fantastic.