The Constellations - Do It For Free (2012)

Tracklist

01. Black Cat
02. Afterparty
03. Right Where I Belong
04. All My Great Escapes
05. Back In Atlanta
06. Let It Go
07. Do It For Free
08. The Ol' Speakeasy
09. The Breeze
10. April
11. Side By Side
12. Let's Get Paid
13. Hallelujah

The sophomore effort from the Constellations, 2012's Do It for Free features more of the Atlanta band's eclectic blues and funk-inflected rock. Once again showcasing the soulful slacker vocals of Elijah Jones, the Constellations have crafted a playful, swaggering album that, while perhaps not as outright crazy fun as 2009's Southern Gothic, still draws enough inspiration from the seedy culture and colorful characters of Atlanta's nightlife to make for a boozy, danceable listen. Most of the cuts here are organic-sounding, '70s-influenced funk numbers that bring to mind a mix of the weed-soaked stream-of-consciousness indie rock-rap of Beck with the hippie boogie rock and blues of the Black Crowes. Produced by keyboardist Andy Rose, the tracks on Do It for Free also include a heavy dose of Rose's fuzzy, sopping-with-soul Rhodes and Wurlitzer organ parts that help fill out the band's generally deep soul approach. Where last time we got the campy stripper anthem "Felicia," this time around we get the hooker anthem "April" and the satirical post-Occupy Movement sexual politics of "Afterparty." Elsewhere, we get the melodic synth-infused sunshine pop meets hip-hop number "All My Great Escapes," the roiling go-go dance number "Do It for Free," and the bluesy boogaloo cut "The Breeze." It's also appealing to hear the Constellations slow down somewhat on a few ballads like the poignant and cinematic breakup number "Side by Side" and the menacing Dr. John and Tom Waits-sounding "Let’s Get Paid."

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