Review: Les Carlsen — Free Will
Mr. Carlsen continues the impressive Bloodgood legacy with his second solo outing since the untimely death of his best friend and musical partner, Michael Bloodgood. This release, Free Will, finds Les working closely with his extremely talented bride, Joyce, to create a showcase of their collective musical creativity.
This album has no filler. Each track is crafted with care, passion, and energy. Free Will is not a super heavy record, but instead leans toward classic American melodic hard rock. The thrash elements of early Bloodgood are not present, but the instant earworms of their later releases certainly are.
The production on this record is stellar, clean, and expansive. The vocals sit up front, while the guitar remains clear and present in the mix. Each instrument is well separated, making every part easily discernible. Kudos to Les and Joyce for their discipline in learning the ropes of high-quality modern production and engineering. Joyce handled the engineering, while she and Les partnered on production.
Paul Jackson, Les’ longtime axe slinger, delivers his usual excellent brand of hard rock guitar work. Craig Church also contributes guitar on a couple of tracks. The low end is anchored by the man with one of the greatest bass player names ever, Juan Van Dunk. Dan Needham, who has recorded with artists ranging from Kenny Loggins to Jeremy Camp, holds down the drum throne.
Melody rules on Free Will, and few singers can emote like Les Carlsen. His voice rings true and clear, with that trademark rasp lending a distinct hard rock edge. Joyce, who also has an outstanding voice, takes the lead on “Bite My Tongue,” the album’s seventh track.
Lyrically, Free Will is unapologetically Christian. Never one to shy away from truth, Les and company have crafted genuine poetry in these songs. The approach is direct, while the imagery is both beautiful and sobering.
“He’s God” is a focused expression of praise, declaring the majesty of the Almighty:
The clouds are the dust of His feet
The sea dries up when He speaks
Dust comes alive when He breathes
The rocks cry out with the trees
There’s nothing that He doesn’t see
HE’S GOD
Wind blows and nobody knows
where it comes from
Rain pours and thunder explodes from heaven
Hearts beat and they repeat, over and over
Because He made it so
Something that you must know
HE’S GOD
Meanwhile, the Joyce-penned “Bite My Tongue” reveals a deep sense of vulnerability and searching:
Bite my tongue, taste the blood
Stuff my thoughts, hide the crud
Digest the hurt, swallow pride
Drink the pain, die inside
Ticking bomb inside my heart
Shredding, tearing me apart
Can’t explode, won’t spread my junk
And so instead
I go inside my head
Where it’s safe and dead
I’m gonna implode, implode
I’m ready to break apart
Can’t carry this load
And He knows
I’m ready to break apart
I’m cavin’ in, I’m crumblin’
I’m gonna implode
Try not to feel, it’s easier
What is real? I don’t know anymore
Crying out, I hear a voice say
Open the door, open the door
Les and Joyce have been making music together longer than many readers of this review have been alive. Their collective experience is on full display here, resulting in a record that is passionate, refined, and compelling. If you pass me on the highway, there is a good chance you will hear this album blasting from my Mustang’s speakers. Free Will is another hard rock showstopper from Les and company.
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