Now this is just nice music. Freelance Whales represents Queens, NYC (there are many other great restaurants in Queens besides Jackson Diner, don't you know --- Jackson Diner isn't even the best Indian restaurant on that block!) and they also represent happiness admirably. When your band uses a harmonium, banjo, acoustic guitars, a cello, glockenspiel, a waterphone (don't even know what that is, but it sounds pleasant) and sweet synthesizers, you just know these guys won't be making music for Debbie Downers. Little Debbies, maybe --- but definitely not Debbie Downers.

These kind five (they sound kind anyway... they may be totally evil and suckerpunch marshmallow bunnies in the head, for all I know) create a pretty optimistic and highly singable world that sounds a little bit like melodic magic. It sounds like Disneyland. It sounds, well, smart. I bet NPR listeners are going to "discover" this band sooner than you can say Ira and Glass.

When I first listened to Freelance Whales, I thought they had a little bit of a Cloud Cult thing going on, mostly due to the vocal similarities between singer/principle songwriter/main man Judah Dadone (he has a nice voice, indeed) and that Cloud Cult guy. But upon further listens, I also pick up a heavy Sufjan Stevens vibe, both in the singing styles and the beautifully ornate orchestration.

I guess as these guys get bigger --- and they WILL get bigger --- everyone will use that Sufjan comparison. So nevermind about that for now. Freelance Whales make for one contented listen. Now let's go get some Samosas!

BUY TICKETS TO SEE FREELANCE WHALES (AND FANFARLO) AT WEBSTER HALL!

Freelance Whales (and Fanfarlo) play Webster Hall, on Friday, December 18th.