Album Review: Freebass It's A Beautiful Life

Freebass - It's a Beautiful Life album cover. Photo / Supplied

Rating: 3 out of 5

Bass-playing legends Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order) and Mani Mountfield (Stone Roses/Primal Scream) team up in this side project that originally also included Smiths' bassist Andy Rourke.

While the aching and earnest vocals of Gary Briggs become a little trying and twee, the melodic bottom end delights of New Order are heard on The Only Ones Alone, there's a darker Joy Division moment on Lady Violence, and some skanking dub gets a look on standout Stalingrad.

Overall, though, it's one for the fans of the old bands to check out.

-TimeOut