Listen harder.

Originally released in 1988, “In Other Words” was the second in a series of three limited edition cassette albums, of experimental, lo-fi, instrumental guitar compositions.

Some notes from the original cassette:

Landslide
No, not like Fleetwood Mac. More like Sisyphus playing “Chopsticks”.

Pillars And Salt
We’re always told that if you look back, something terrible might happen. Of course, not looking back leaves one wondering what could have been so awful. I had been listening to the album “You’re Living All Over Me” by Dinosaur Jr., and wanted to see for myself how far I could push the flange over a delicate melody.

Phase
Passing through, or separated by degrees?

Several of these tracks were recorded at the South Mpls apartment of Glen Machuca.

All tracks were recorded between 1987-88, utilizing a process which involved recording initial tracks on a home stereo cassette deck, then playing the signal through a small Radio Shack 4-channel potentiometer [#33-920] into a second deck, while simultaneously adding additional live accompaniment. DIY karaoke, if you will.

1. Landslide
2. Pillars and Salt
3. Windfall
4. Mosaic Of Tears, Tear Of Glass
5. A Wish and A Prayer
6. Phase
7. Gutwrench

J. Free: electric and acoustic guitars, electric bass, pedal effects, Boss Dr. Rhythm Digital DR-220 drum machine, a pair of Kenwood 3-head cassette decks, and a Radio Shack #33-920 4-channel mono/stereo mixer.

Analog to digital transfer in 2010; monaural mastering in 2016.

Originally released on cassette in 1988

Digital release [bandcamp]: October 4, 2016

[Sorry – these audio recordings were hosted on soundcloud, but that account is now closed.
I’ll figure out a different way to host it soon!]

post-millennial technical errata:

Azimuth-optimized analog-digital transfer [24-bit/96kHz sample rate] from master cassette [which was itself, essentially, a 1st/2nd-gen dub of the original individual tracks]; tracks split in CDWav editor; stereo adjustments processed with SoundForge.

There is tape hiss present; pitch is subjective to the dying motors of the tape decks which were employed in the original recording and dubbing process.

But then again, if you’re streaming these tracks, you’re listening to a bunch of .mp3s.

all rights reserved: © J. Free; 1988, 1989, 2025

side A:
[01] The Short End Of The Stick (3:56)
[02] Dignity Without Valour (4:33)
[03] Beauty Is A Faceless Child (3:25)
[04] Beneath This Armour There Lies A Heart (4:55)
[05] The Son Rises In The East (4:21)

side B:
[06] Head Above Water (4:50)
[07] Frantic (5:08)
[08] While You Were Looking The Other Way (4:06)
[09] The Pleasure Center (a recurring theme) (4:33)
[10] Aftermath (3:56)

J. Free: electric and acoustic guitars, electric bass, pedal effects, drum machine, a pair of Kenwood 3-head cassette decks, and a Radio Shack #33-920 4-channel mono/stereo mixer.

Analog to digital transfer in 2010; monaural mastering in 2016.

Originally released on cassette in 1990

Digital release [bandcamp]: October 4, 2016

[Sorry – these audio recordings were hosted on soundcloud, but that account is now closed.
I’ll figure out a different way to host it soon!]

post-millennial technical errata:

Azimuth-optimized analog-digital transfer [24-bit/96kHz sample rate] from master cassette [which was itself, essentially, a 1st/2nd-gen dub of the original individual tracks]; tracks split in CDWav editor; stereo adjustments processed with SoundForge.

There is tape hiss present; pitch is subjective to the dying motors of the tape decks which were employed in the original recording and dubbing process.

But then again, if you’re streaming these tracks, you’re listening to a bunch of .mp3s.

all rights reserved: © J. Free; 1989, 1990, 2025

FACADES

[Sorry – these audio recordings were hosted on soundcloud, but that account is now closed.
I’ll figure out a different way to host it soon!]

technical errata:

Melne Murphy contributes lead guitar on Legacy and Moments Turned to Sand,
and also programmed the drum machine on Legacy.

All other instruments and vocals by J. Free.

Originally recorded on Dokoder and Tascam reel-to-reel 4-track decks, between 1982 and 1985.

This transfer was made in 2010, using a Nakamichi deck which was re-calibrated by Echo Audio in Portland, OR. This was an azimuth-optimized analog-digital transfer [24-bit/96kHz sample rate] from a first-generation master cassette. Tracks were split in CDWav editor; any other post-processing was done using SoundForge. Digitally pitch-corrected by ear (using SoundForge), to a digitally-tuned acoustic guitar. This 256kbps .mpeg conversion was direct from the 24/96 .wav files – no down-sampling or bit-rate conversion was applied. Additional mixing, minor editing and treatments were applied by J. in 2010.

There is tape hiss present. But then again, you’re listening to a bunch of .mp3s.

all tracks: © J. Free; 1982 – 1985