The Fremonts – The Failure Cabaret
Folk – cabaret duo the Fremonts are re-releasing their album The Failure Cabaret this week, with lively theatrical songs that dynamically poke a bit of fun at life in now fresh recordings. The Fremonts are Stephanie Dodd (originally hailing from Fremont, Nebraska) and Justin Badger (originally hailing from Fremont, California) with guests to round out the flashy band sounds on the album.
“How Often” is spritely with flute and cheekiness: “you were wearing a yellow dress when I first met you” and there are continual clever flashes of wordplay and playfulness: “how often do you meet someone that you actually love? Never and every day?”
“You look high baby but you look so low” is the farcical lyric line for “Find Me” as it launches on stand up bass and sultry bluesy-jazz vocals by Stephanie. “Howl” starts with subdued acoustic guitar and touches of accordion, as Justin takes the vocal lead “though it rains down on me / though backs may have turned you see / Blow winds, come and crack your cheeks / I’m every inch a king that I was.”
Pops of accordion ground the dramatic la de da de da traipsing of “Songs About Babies”: “Everybody wants a baby except me / Oh, no, I like my nest empty.” A necessary song even as it struts with amusement in a mockery.
“Fear of Consequences” starts with open theatricality in pops and clicks and the frolicking beat as it hits on a truism: “religion overruled the sciences and the poor better fear the consequences / our militias build up their defenses, politicians overrule the sciences and the girls better fear the consequences.” This is clearly the centerpiece of the album, in terms of the heavy hitting commentary housed within the theatrical arrangement.
The Fremonts Stephanie Dodd (vocals/accordion) and Justin Badger (vocals/guitar) have worked for years as professional actors and use their skills to present unique cabaret performances to accompany their shows. That energy is palpable in this album.
The album cover sets expectation with Stephanie in a deadpan shocked expression with cake on her face. The music is available on their BandCamp: https://thefremonts.bandcamp.com/album/the-failure-cabaret-2025
Check out our previous coverage here: REVIEW: The Fremonts “We Don’t Live There” (reissue)
Musicians on the album are Stephanie Dodd (vocals, accordion and flute) and Justin Badger (vocals and guitar) with guests Michael Lesko (drums, percussion and electric bass) and Peter Lettre (upright bass on 2 and 10)
The Failure Cabaret was produced by The Fremonts & Cameron Mannix (with Michael Lesko & Chris Tucker on Shadow Sees), recorded by Michael Lesko, Cameron Mannix & The Fremonts, mixed by Michael Lesko & Cameron Mannix, mastered by Ian Stewart at Flotown Mastering (Original album mastered by David Glasser). Photography & Album Artwork were by Emilie Druss & Matt Lowber. Executive Producer was Chuck Porter.
