The Year I Spent In Space
Surf Road, 2022
8/10
Listen to The Year I Spent In Space
The Los Angeles multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Tom Freund penned and recorded most of this album during the pandemic, and his timeless and accomplished brand of Americana sounds as great as ever here.
Freund places “Rebound” in the lead off position, where warm acoustic guitar and crisp drums are met with his very friendly singing that’s wise and cozy in the rootsy appeal, and “Don’t Wait (Back Home)” follows with graceful piano and a folk-rock presence that’s melodic and instantly memorable.
Closer to the middle, “Harmony Of Two” is textured fluidly with spirited electric guitar, thumping drums and some grit in the retro-rocker, while “Disney’s America” lands in more intimate territory that’s even a bit dreamy in the twangy, Americana haze.
Arriving near the end, the poetic and acoustic guitar fueled “Show On The Road” is full of reflective and eloquent song craft, and “My Resurrection” exits with a very adventurous, cultured and diverse landscape that further solidifies his universal formula.
Freund released his first album in 1992, and has been consistently great since. Even though he’s not a household name, you’ve probably heard his work on popular TV shows like Dawson’s Creek, and fans of Tom Petty, Lucinda Williams or Townes Van Zandt surely must acquaint themselves.
Travels well with: Mark Erelli- Lay Your Darkness Down; Matt Costa- Yellow Coat