Music Review: Free Throw – Moments Before the Wind Album Review: A Balanced Look

Free Throw has returned with their latest album, "Moments Before the Wind," and I'm finding it challenging to write this review. I'll always have a special place in my heart for Free Throw because they were the first to give me a chance when I was just starting out in concert photography, even before I became a photojournalist. At the time, I lacked a resume, had only photographed a charity event, and was inexperienced and unfamiliar with the rules, yet they gave me an opportunity, and I will forever be grateful for that.

“Moments Before the Wind” is not bad by any stretch. It actually has some of the best instrumentals by Free Throw, and they incorporate new elements into their sound. But as I listen to this album in full, I can’t help but feel like it’s missing something and that the flow of the album feels off. It’s like when artists get too creative in their craft and miss out on the little details that make the sound theirs and theirs alone. But I digress, let's really dive into the album.

The opening track “MissingNo.” has the band's signature Midwest emo sound with energetic punk tempos mixed with dexterous guitar riffs. The drumming groove post-intro with the ride hi-hat snare pattern is so catchy that it's one of my favorite parts in the song and the album. While the track title is a video game reference, the lyrics dive into finding comfort in discomfort, which is something I wouldn’t expect anything different from this genre. After listening to “MissingNo.” I was excited for what the rest of the album had in store.  

“Mike Nolan’s Long Weekend” features Dom Fox of “Bad Luck.” This song has Free Throw classic party vibes written all over it, like with their biggest hit “Two Beers In,” but has lyrics tackle darker themes. I felt the anxiety and pressure of being judged pouring through the lyrics: “It’s hard to show my face when I am judged on every step I take.” The sound blends pop elements with raw emotion, highlighting new aspects of their evolving style. Dom Fox’s raw vocals add a touch of aggression to the track, which adds a tasteful element to the overall vibe.

“For Those Who Come After” strikes a perfect balance between Midwest emo and a blend of clean, cathartic vocals that will captivate listeners. Lyrically, the track dives into reflection that fits into the broader narrative of the album, which is about navigating life. All of the instrumentals play a more pocket groove, allowing Cory’s lyrics and vocals to be the driving forefront of the song. The track also introduces new elements and textures that "Free Throw" is incorporating into their sound, enhancing its atmosphere.

“Floaroma Town” has a unique airy jingle pop sound to it compared to the previous songs that feel more grounded. This sound is a combination of Zach’s pocket drum groove and the tones in the guitar. “Floaroma Town” should appeal to me due to its departure from previous work, it seems to lack energy. When I hear that jingle pop sound, I want the energy behind it to bounce and run in circles as if I am in a “Free Throw” crowd, but this track doesn't quite capture that element.

“The Need for a Post-Credit Scene” continues to balance the Midwest emo vibes with a pop-punk bright sound, but the energy is lackluster. The instrumentals in the verse with quiet, whisper-like vocals zone me out of the song completely. However, the chorus and the bridge bring me back. I wonder if “Free Throw” did this intentionally to help paint the picture of the lyrics that describe an empty relationship, but again, with the lackluster energy, it’s a skip for me.

"The Outlaw Star" takes a totally different direction from the previous track, bursting with the high-energy Midwest emo style that Free Throw is known for. The dynamic guitars and drum groove propel the song, using a straightforward writing style that lets the energy and emotional intensity stand out. This track reignited my interest in the album just as I was beginning to lose emotional connection.

"A Hero’s Grave" was the first single from this album, and I honestly can't imagine a better choice for the lead single. It has the emo-punk sound and Cory’s gritty, emotional vocal delivery that makes the song catchy while being a soul-destroying gut punch. I also appreciate that the band released a reimagined version of the song and hope that when they play this live, they fuse both versions together. 

“There Will Come Soft Rains” is a gentler song that gradually builds up instead of bursting forth. The guitar has a sparkling tone that enhances the tranquility, giving the song space to breathe and avoiding any sense of haste. This approach also highlights the lyrics, with Cory's slightly strained and vulnerable voice lending them an honest and raw feel.

“Deviancy” is a sneaky, raw, emotional song that hits the listeners harder than it lets on. It achieves a polished sound while maintaining rough edges, lending authenticity and tension to both the lyrics and their delivery. The lyrics describe the unsettling feeling of being alive and functioning, but not actually present in life. Personally, I find this to be one of the most complete songs on the album, where the lyrics and instrumentals align perfectly to resonate with listeners emotionally.

“This Dollar General Store Ain’t Gonna Rob Itself” swaps electric guitars for an acoustic sound, providing listeners with a refreshing pause. While the song title made me laugh right away, I also had the feeling that this was going to make listeners sit in silence and be with the lyrics, and I was right. The lyrics create an image with emotional intensity and a release that compelled me to pause and reflect before moving on to the final track.

“The Waters of Life” is the closing track off of “Moments Before the Wind,” and I couldn’t think of a better way to end the album. It’s raw, emotional, unpolished, and you feel the energy ooze through the speakers. The instrumentals play more in the pocket, allowing the lyrics to really hit home for listeners. The lyrics on this song take a different approach compared to the rest of the album. Rather than focusing on anxiety, they center on accepting that growth involves letting go, embracing uncertainty, and moving forward.

You might be curious about why I'm having difficulty truly enjoying the album, and it boils down to three reasons. Firstly, I feel the song arrangement is not quite right. The second half of this album flows better and, quite frankly, is superior to the first half.

The second reason is that when I review albums, I imagine the band performing live and visualize the audience, stage setup, and so on. When I envision “Moments Before the Wind,” I can't see a Free Throw crowd passionately shouting the lyrics, moshing, stage diving, or crowd surfing. Instead, I see a crowd nodding along to the rhythm and singing the lyrics with minimal emotion, leading to the third reason.

This album is very lackluster in energy. What makes Midwest emo so unique is the energy and angst that come from this genre. While this album has elements of it, it also feels like it’s missing these elements. This might be due to the production, but I doubt it since the production and mastering are well-executed. It could be that "Free Throw" invested significant time and effort into this album, and occasionally, when artists do so, they overlook the small details that make their albums and sound unique.

I will say this over and over again: “Moments Before The Wind” is not a bad album by any means. I think it is an album that will grow on people with time, and I believe that when I hear these songs live and see the crowd's reaction, it will grow on me as well.

"Moments Before the Wind" is now available for streaming and purchase everywhere. You can see "Free Throw" on tour with Macseal, TRSH, and Wakelee from April 12th to May 17th. For more details about Free Throw, please visit https://freethrowband.com/ 

Moments Before the Wind tracklisting

1. MissingNo.

2. Mike Nolan's Long Weekend

3. For Those Who Come After

4. Floaroma Town

5. The Need For A Post-Credits Scene

6. The Outlaw Star

7. A Hero's Grave

8. There Will Come Soft Rains

9. Deviancy

10. This Dollar General Store Ain't Gonna Rob Itself

11. The Waters Of Life