Cosmic Peekaboo
In southern California in the '60s, a number of bands mixed hip rock and square pop to create a highly distinctive sound. Groups like the Beach Boys, the Association, the Mamas and the Papas, and Love made beautifully arranged recordings that were simultaneously uplifting and dripping with melancholy. Around the same time, the Free Design were concocting similar sounds on the East Coast. Cosmic Peekaboo is the group's first recording since the early '70s, and not surprisingly, their sound has mellowed. Don't expect effervescent pop classics like "Bubbles" or "Kites Are Fun." However, they do still have the same basic sound: gorgeous sibling vocal harmonies backed by thoughtful arrangements. At times this reflective album flirts with schmaltz, but the disc also features lovely songs like "Cosmic Peekaboo," "Day Breaks," and the standout "Listen," on which flugelhorn, violin, and piano parts nicely accompany the group's sonorous singing. Fans of the Free Design oweCosmic Peekabooa listen.--Fred Cisterna