Northern Colorado’s Freak Delusion, is the recording handle for Solomon Rueb “and anyone who wants to contribute.” Rueb performed and engineered the parts himself, except for the drums, which were played by Dustin Phillips. They’re currently a studio act,with the goal “to grow into an actual band.” Look Sick is their debut, a four-track EP.
I hope they do, because basically, Look Sick is the 1991 record I always wanted, but could never find. Guitars are tuned down and distortion is turned up. Thick slabs of bass anchor the bottom end. Drums are precise but not over-technical. Baritone vocals are ethereal in parts, growly in others. The overall music is heavy, and maybe a little dangerous, but there are little pinpricks of light here and there (like the major thirds in “Red Flags”) and Freak Delusion hasn’t forgotten that many listeners do appreciate melody. “Cheesing” is the first track which grabs us immediately with its heavy guitar groove. The riff reminded me a bit of Vinnie Vincent’s best work from Kiss’ Revenge, although Freak Delusion is able to shift meter and feels better than Kiss ever could. The vocals are pure Alice in Chains, and the production is terrific with various guitar parts and tones weaving their way through the song. Where was this in 1991? I needed it! Freak Delusion keeps it going for the remaining three tracks. Guitars stay riffy, vocals keep you on your toes, and beat accents and time-signatures shift effortlessly. I particularly liked the long fadeout on “The Darkest Timeline,” where Phillips’ drums sound magnificent. Phillips adds a little sparkle to “We Travel In A Spiral” where he breaks out some cool-sounding cymbals (is that a China Boy?). The final cut “Red Flags” was my favorite. The first guitar solo sings with Pink Floyd-like phrasing. The slower, darker second section features a guitar solo which may have been played by the bastard child of Brad Whitford and Joe Perry. Freak Delusion slows us down into an ending where the final note bends up to...a resolution? Almost? Well, maybe not, but it doesn’t matter. Break out your flannel shirts, grow out your scary facial hair and dreads, and crank up Look Sick, like 1991, never abandoned us.
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