Kimberly Freeman

Into Outer Space

Kimberly Freeman: Vocals and Lyrics

Jason Rufuss Sewell: Drums, Bass, Guitar, Synth

            The newest release from the frontwoman of goth punk band One-Eyed Doll is out now. Who is One-Eyed Doll? Well they have won best punk band at SXSW 3 years running. Kimberly the frontwoman and guitarist of the duo have done a lot. TV, music videos, and has been listed in Revolver’s Hottest Chicks of Hard Rock. That’s not all, but we are going to turn our interest onto the new album. It features Kim with the vocals and lyrics while Jason Rufuss Sewell handles the rest on this album. Into Outer Space features 13 tracks and kicks off with the titled cut. “Into Outer Space” opens up with a techno beat with huge drums and an okay groove. The keys go off with some special effects right before she comes in with a soft calm voice. There are vocals flying all around while the music sweeps along. It’s an okay number, but definitely not my style. “Fame and Loathing” is much of the same as the opening tune. Music and vocals are flying all over the place as you try to wrap your head around it. The vocals for the most part are very poppy while being clear. Backing vocals are flying in and out while a club beat is being dropped. “Live or Die” slows the album down with sweet vocals. The music sounds pretty good as well. It’s not a tune that I would listen to all the time, but if it came over the radio I wouldn’t turn it. “Fairy” keeps the album slow. It offers up passionate sounding vocals as it sweeps across your ears. The vocals are again clear and the beat is sober. “Insecure” is much of the same as many of the tracks before it. It’s slow moving, but does have a little more of a beat than the last track. It just glides along. “Destiny” has a bit more energy and intensity to it than the last couple of tunes. It’s not drag or dreary and is enjoyable from time to time. The track however seems to go forever. “Float Away” does just that, float away. The slow moving track floats in thin air into the distance. The music will put you to sleep and the vocals just add to that effect. I could see it used in a movie, but that’s about it. “How Strange” offers up some more slow moving music with whispering vocals. They add in some backing vocals to spice it up some. The drums actually step up a few times as well. It’s still a track that doesn’t excite you very much, but it actually appears to be in the top tier. “Dance While I’m Drowning” actually brings some noise to the album. The music is a bit more upbeat and the vocals flood the scene. You can actually dance around and enjoy this one instead of just sitting there listening. “Fantasy Boy” throws a club beat at you with some effects for an intro. The vocals then come in and it all goes wrong. The vocals whine at you like they are a ghost trying to scare you. The only thing it really does is scare you into hitting the skip button. “3009” is again just weird. They have a little spot of excellence with the vocals showing off a bit, but other than that it’s just another skip. “Water Song,” the longest tune of the album, comes off next. It’s a simple track with some elegance to it. The vocals are superb and they really give you the shakes when you listen to them. “Lost In The Sound” ends the album with a rave sounding track. The synth beats are going nuts for the most part as you can barely hear the vocals. Overall you just have to like this type of thing to get it. The vocals are so-so. You can hear them some times and others you really can’t. When you can they are clear. They also hit some great notes and a couple times will have you standing there in awe.  The music is okay. The beats in a few offerings are good, but others are over done or just not very good. This experiment, and that’s what I’m calling it, is undone to me. There are a few tracks that might peak some interest, but the bulk of the album just exists. There really isn't anything that holds you there. More time might be in order for this to work. I just see many people taking this in.

Rating: 5 out of 10

Tracks to Watch:

Fairy and Dance While I’m Dancing

Track List:

1. Into Outer Space
2. Fame and Loathing
3. Live or Die
4. Fairy
5. Insecure
6. Destiny
7. Float Away
8. How Strange
9. Dance While I’m Drowning
10. Fantasy Boy
11. 3009
12. Water Song
13. Lost In The Sound

Website (s):  www.kimberlyfreemanmusic.com