Follow the Freedom is the new offering from vocalist/guitarist/songwriter, and one-time Antigone Rising frontwoman, Cassidy Cantanzaro. Best known for her rich, full voice (drawing immediate comparisons to Janis Joplin on Antigone Rising’s catalog), she has adopted the moniker Boheme for her first solo outing. While her former band’s latest album leans more towards a mild, accessible, Country sound, Boheme goes in a different direction and, in many ways, one more familiar to her curious fanbase.
Follow the Freedom opens with the bright, California sunshine sound of the title track. Uplifting and inspiring, Cassidy’s voice is in top form sounding gorgeous and smooth, just as it did when we last heard it. It’s like welcoming back an old friend. “Even the Mistakes” is up next and it’s the first glimpse of the variety that Cassidy offers on the album. An acoustically driven, super catchy tune set to a disco backdrop (you can practically see the disco ball spinning above her head), “Even the Mistakes” is easily the album’s highlight, and that’s saying a lot because there are a lot of highlights here. While the album overall leans towards a mild and accessible 70’s Pop Funk feel, Cassidy gets her groove on with songs like the sassy “Done Done Done” and the soaring “Sensitive People” (which features a full on set of brass). The album’s closer, “Thank You For Breaking My Heart,” is another undisputed highlight. It takes the album out on a quieter note, featuring just an acoustic guitar and Cassidy’s incredibly strong vocals.
I have to be honest and say that while I expected this to be a solid album, I didn’t expect it to be one of my favorites of 2011. Cassidy has taken everything that was great about her past contributions and made them even better. My only problem with this album is it’s release date (and that’s only because I live in a state with four distinct seasons). Follow the Freedom is the perfect summer album and I wish I could have had it blaring from my stereo when the sun was still shining this year! Regardless, if you like any kind of acoustic-based music that is super fun, super catchy, and leaves you feeling happy and inspired than this album is a must for you!
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
