David Holmes Presents the Free Association - Free Association (CD)

David Holmes Strikes Again

By Chris  Oct 17, 2003

Pros: Petra Jean Phillipson's singing

Cons: Sean Reveron's songwriting efforts

David Holmes is a cult club DJ, evocative composer of recent Hollywood film soundtracks, connisseur of old soul and punk vinyl records, producer and record label owner. Now he can add member of a new studio and live band to his CV. The overall feel o...f "the Free Association" is reminiscent of the Bristol trip hop scene of the 1990s, but with a slightly edgy and salacious spin on the genre replacing the general etherialness. Petra Jean Phillipson is certainly one of the most talented singers to emerge on the scene in many years and her lyrics are of a reasonable standard. Sean Reveron, however, who co-writes some of the other songs, provides an eccentric presence throughout although his efforts tend to grate after a while.The music, provided by Holmes and programmer Steve Hilton is also earcatching but not up to the standard of his previous albums. In all, this is an album whose raison d'etre seems to be to assemble a set of songs to be taken on the road, and indeed the Free Association are a formidable live act. Whether this equates to being played repeatedly in one's living room is open to debate. Read more Less