Free Verse – Access Denied – Review

Free Verse

Access Denied (Brain Floss)
by Rowan-Morrison

As soon as the vocals kicked in, I was transported to a Pacific Northwest Women’s Perspective convention, with Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney moderating the event. Like Free Verse’s presumed mentors, these three Kansas-based women bust out garage-spawned music with plenty of harsh throatwork and abrasive guitar bursts. Free Verse, however, has a good grasp of dynamics, so their songs often slow down and integrate soft melodies, in addition to the occasional Spitboy-like harmonies. This disc isn’t the fresh new sound you’re looking for, but if you groove on Kill Rock Stars, it’s bound to bring immense pleasure. Although their press-kit would like to distance them from Bikini Kill and the dated “riot grrrl” catchphrase, that’s going to be tough considering the vocal similarity, the fact that they’re moving to Seattle, and, oh yeah, they cover BK’s “Feels Blind.”