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Freedom Shall Return is a commentary on modern America featuring thirteen songs written by James Perloff.  It deals exclusively with conservative Christian themes, the central theme being that Christians should act to make things happen in America.

The theme is admirable.  The music, on the other hand…

Perloff’s mission here is to revisit the music of the 60’s and early 70’s. Unfortunately, most of what is here comes off as a pale imitation of that era, bringing to mind the scene in Animal House where John Belushi smashes Stephen Bishop’s guitar.  “Where Did All the Holidays Go?” is the most grievous, stealing blatantly from the 60’s chestnut, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”

“Home-School Kids” wouldn’t have made the cut for one of Sandy Patti’s Friendship Company albums.  “Echoes of Vietnam”, while heartfelt, is still badly written coffee house poetry.  “Network News” could have been something in the hands of Steve Taylor, but instead is a weak 50’s redux. 

The best of this lot is “The Lost Cause”, a paean to the Civil War-era South.  Rachel Taylor’s vocals approach those of Leigh Nash, which makes you forget the lyrics, at least temporarily.  “The Fifties” almost works, with Love and Rockets-style vocals.

In all, this album comes across as a preachy, overwrought plea for America to be restored to the “Leave It To Beaver” country that never really existed to begin with, while sounding like a bad “Schoolhouse Rock” episode.

Brian A. Smith 14 October 2003