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." ~ Matt Collar