You may recall that Mike Peters was the front-man for the seminal 80's punk/rock band, The Alarm. The Alarm broke up several years ago, and this is Peters' second solo album. His first, Breathe, was released in 1994 and is only available in some places as an expensive, hard-to-find import. Feel Free, the more consistent and stronger of the two albums, was also originally released as an import in 1996, but it was recently re-released with different art and packaging, and one of those trendy secret bonus tracks. I have the original release, and it wasn't easy to come by. Perhaps you'll have more luck with this second pressing. Let me know if you like the secret song.
It's rare that an album takes me completely by surprise anymore, but Feel Free certainly did. It's more than I expected. In fact, I anticipated a more acoustic album ala ex-Waterboy Mike Scott's Bring 'em All In. That's not the case here. As you may expect, this album does sound remarkably like The Alarm much of the time. Peters' gutsy, brash, "anthemic" vocal style is amply evident, and the great musical energy that was an Alarm trademark is also served in generous doses. Additionally, one of the more unique Alarm hallmarks that would've been missed had it not shown up here is the soaring harmonica. Good news! It sounds like Peters' harmonica playing has even improved, with hot licks on Feel Free in all the right places. Yet, as is often the case with solo albums from artists best known as former band members, you also expect Feel Free to sound distinctly different than The Alarm, and more like a hodgepodge of other sounds and influences. That is also true, and proves to be the most exciting part. Would you guess, for example, that there would be a heavy hip-hop influence here? I didn't. Yet these songs are clearly influenced by both hip-hop and R&B, as if Mike crossed The Alarm with a more aggressive Seal or George Michael. The result merges The Alarm's raw quality with shades of both 80's and 90's sounds in a novel and feisty style. Track 2, "The Message," is a perfect example of this hybrid combination and is one of the coolest rap songs I've ever heard. (The lyrics were penned by Fletcher, Glover, Robinson, and Chase back in 1982. That's Grandmaster Flash, isn't it?) The precisely-delivered rap is energetically superimposed on a hip-hop neo-punk, 90's modern rock assault. The overall effect is quite addictive--the kind of lively song that keeps your finger poised on the repeat button.
The rest of Feel Free plays the field as well, with straight-ahead rockers like "Regeneration" and "RIP," mid-tempo ballads like "Broken Silence" and "Breathe," stirring anthems like "Shine On" and "What is It For?," earnest love songs like "All is Forgiven," and a lot of really great rock and roll. A roller-coaster ride with more thrills than chills. It is oft rumored that Mike Peters is a Christian. There is a lot of religious and Judeo-Christian imagery on this album, and with song titles like "Shine On," "The Message," "My Calling," "All is Forgiven," and "Regeneration" you expect to get some theological tidbits of profound proportions. Instead the Christian imagery is borrowed and applied in unexpected ways, much like some of Prince's work. Mike, it seems, really does have some Christian background, but unlike his work on Breathe-- where his purported faith seems more apparent--Feel Free seems more universalistic when it comes to matters of faith and spirituality. This ain't no Sandi Patty album. Witness these lyrics from "My Calling":
One is of the Universe, the Universe goes on forever
Spiritual regeneration every single time we breathe
The key to understanding is within us as it's all around us
It's the air as it's the light as it's the mother of all our needs
My calling is you and all that you do
My calling is you
The universal mystery
of how and why we came to be
I know I'd die without you, I believe
One is of eternity, eternity goes on forever...
I am of the sky, I am of the earth
I am of the mind and the universe
Love is of eternity, eternity is love...
Is it an ode to God's creative and sustaining spirit or something more pantheistic? Regardless, Mike deserves a heavy heap of praise for tackling spiritual matters in this age of naturalism, in a way that makes spirituality both attractive and within our collective grasp. He is an artist who wears his tattered heart on his windswept sleeve, and his dogged concern for the state of the world, especially urban ghettos, is commendable. I applaud both his honesty and insight. Feel free to pick this one up if you can find it; Mike Peters' musical journey is worthy of exploration. You may even find yourself pumping the air with your fist as you shout along.
4.5 tocks
Similar sounding releases
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1995The WaitingBlue Belly Sky
2004LiveAwake: The Best of Live
1997Vigilantes of LoveSlow Dark Train
1999Pete StewartPete Stewart
1997PFRThe Late Great PFR
