Rating: 
It’s no surprise that Free Time has compiled a bunch of songs that sound an awful lot like Twerps, seeing as front-man Dion spent time with the group fleshing out their live sound. But, make no mistake about it, he’s got a voice all his own, which makes Free Time a record that will wash over you with a bit of warmth and pop, fitting in perfectly to any daily listening occasion.
“I Lost Again” is the opening track, and it’s exactly what I expected from Dion. There’s a leading guitar line that seems fitting for a day in observance of the ocean, with casually ringing guitar chords and vocals that seem drenched in an oceanic mist. A slight vocal adjustment arrives during the chorus, allowing the song to drift to a certain degree. However, “It’s Alright” is where Dion Nania puts his own stamp. While there are some similarities to Aussie pop, there’s a bit more of a blues-y stomp/sway to the track; the track itself is a bit lighter, even playful. I like the fact that you can feel a bit of an emotional swing to this tune. It’s these little touches that make Free Time escape a lot of its relationship with Twerps.
For instance, taking one listen to “World Without Love” will easily show you that Dion and his band aren’t content settling for an easy Aussie formula, not that I’d mind that either. The vocal delivery is a bit more whimsical, using overlapping bits of spoken-word to maneuver in and out of the interwoven guitar parts…and is that a flute in the background? Or you can look at the track that serves as a precursor, “Just Once.” On this number, things are a bit noisier, at least in regards to what’s going on in the background. It takes a bit of formulaic indie pop and ups ante by coating the vocals in a bit of a wash, with strings striking hard in the distance. These aren’t your run of the mill touches to what I expected from Dion.
That being said, one of my favorite pieces from Free Time does harken back to Nania’s musical relationships. Opening with chiming guitars while he cooly, and casually, sings definitely works to the song’s benefit. When the pace picks up, it’s hard not to get swept away in the track’s audial pull, directly latching onto your heart. While listening to this tune, it’s easy to see where Dion’s been musically, but what I like about Free Time is the fact that it manages to stand out a bit on its own merit. There are nods to friends and such, but as I’ve mentioned, he’s doing his best to make sure you know this is his band and his sound; for the most part, he’s extremely successful.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/01-I-Lost-Again.mp3]
Download: Free Time – I Lost Again [MP3]
We’d previously run the B-Side from Free Time, but the A-side is even better. Dion Nania’s project seems to have fully taken form, stepping further away from his work with Twerps, and moving in another direction, though still paying homage to his past. There’s cascading guitar solos maneuvering in and out of the song, and you’ll find the relaxed vocal approach working too. If you expected another chilled bit of casual pop, then check yourself, as “Esoteric Tizz” is a stunner. The 7″ will be released this week on Underwater Peoples, so grab it while its hot.
