NYCS First Impression: Home Free ‘Dive Bar Saints’
NYCountry Swag’s Spotlight alum Home Free’s fifth album Dive Bar Saints is officially here. The a capella group is back, after releasing their album Timeless in 2017. It was well worth the wait, as it is the first time the guys have put out almost all original music, the twelve track album has ten original tracks and two covers.
Dive Bar Saints is also special for the vocalists Austin Brown (high tenor), Rob Lundquist (tenor), Adam Rupp (vocal perfusion\beatboxer), Tim Foust (bass), and Adam Chance (baritone), as it is their first album on their record label, Home Free Records. The album is filled with a combination of upbeat and slower-paced songs that highlight the artists’ range and talent of creating music with just their voices. While the songs may have different tempos, they all go back to the same theme of honoring where you came from, living life to the fullest, and encouragement to follow your dreams.
The album starts with the song “Remember This” which was the perfect choice to set the tone for the record. While it has an upbeat tempo, “Remember This” shares an important message that everyone needs to hear, life is what you make it, don’t miss out on critical moments with the ones you love. With a lot of ‘wahoos’, the second track “Leave This Town” continues with the upbeat, laid back feel and is the perfect tribute to small towns everywhere, giving all the reasons why you shouldn’t leave it including the most important thing, the one you love.
The title track “Dive Bar Saints” follows with a similar theme honoring the hometown dive bar. With a more gospel feel, it tells the story how no matter what type of week you had, the dive bar will always welcome you, no questions asked. “Catch Me If You Can” starts slow but then has a catchy clapping beat, which will get the audience up and dancing at every show. The song reminds you not to feel stuck in one place or let anything hold you back from living the life you want to live.
“Lonely Girl’s World” is one of the more vulnerable songs on the album. It’s about a relationship going downhill and feeling alone but bouncing back to start the life and happiness you deserve. Heading back to upbeat “Cross That Bridge” is another catchy song that will have you bopping along and is the song that everyone in a new relationship needs to hear. You might be scared of what the future of your relationship holds but you can’t be afraid to jump in and see where it goes.
While no one wants to think about dying, “Dreamer” reminds everyone to think about when that moment comes, what you want to be remembered by. You want to be recognized by being your true self and doing what you love, not by something you regret. After listening to “What’s the World Coming To?”, you’ll want to do something to make the world a better place.
“Go Rest High On That Mountain” is the first of two covers on the album. An original by Vince Gill, Home Free puts their spin on the already emotional song by adding in a snippet of “Amazing Grace.” It will, for sure, give you chills. The artists bring up the mood with “Why Not” which follows the theme of the album of going after what you want. This time it’s going after the one you have romantic feelings for. “Love Me Like That” is next and is a song that honors your first love. It takes you down memory lane of the love that the two of you shared, and even though the relationship is over, you will always remember what the two of you had. The album closes out with a slow downed version of “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” which was a part of their country medley this week on The Today Show, putting their spin on the John Denver classic. Slowing down the classic allows showcasing each singers’ incredible vocals.
Home Free has so many reasons to be proud of this album. It shows their powerhouse vocals and harmonizing talent. Dive Bar Saints also highlights the groups cowriting skills. If this is a sign of what is to come for their new label, it will for sure be successful. We can’t wait to see what’s next.
These guys are not slowing down anytime soon as they are hitting the road on September 18th for their DIVE BAR SAINTS WORLD TOUR. With over 100 shows in 16 countries, it’s a show you do not want to miss! They come to The Town Hall in New York City on November 10th, get your tickets today.
To keep up with Home Free, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Dive Bar Saints is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
—————————-
Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!
Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!
+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:
