Chilled, sunny autumn spirit
Field Music’s latest, Open Here, is an invitation to the sunny creativity that the band possesses and gladly embraces throughout the eleven song album. Book-ended by its longest tracks, Open Here witnesses no low points and disguises some troubled stories with nonchalantly upbeat songs (not Earth, Wind & Fire level of upbeat, but happy still.
The album artwork fits well for the string-driven title track, but a listen to the other ten makes an autumn day seem like the most appropriate visual face for this album. This is especially true for the closer, “Find a Way To,” which lets the singer rest easy and close his eyes while the instruments get their moment. It’s a moment as pleasing as seeing those red-orange fall leaves bounce around from tree to tree before landing in a pile of their brothers. It’s a dynamic song, changing feels within its instrumental second half alone. It starts calmly and builds up to its main arrival with just the right amount of free-spirited indie magic, maintaining interest throughout.
Absent of dull tracks it may be, Open Here struggles the most with keeping ears turned its way in “Daylight Saving.” It’s an admittedly enjoyable song, but one that may need several listens outside the context of the album to appreciate fully and individually. It’s a jolly song regardless of how many listens it garners.
Casually frantic. Is that a possible pairing of emotions? If the answer is yes, then that is the best way to describe “Cameraman.” The jungle-thumping of the toms drives the song, not to overlook how soothing the gentle, busy strumming of the guitar is in its little limelight special at 1:43. If that segment was the only sample of the song that someone heard, they’d be surprised to finally hear it from the top. An excellent display of compatible juxtaposition.
Nearly every song here has an effective intro, whether or not the mood it creates is maintained, revisited or ultimately ignored. One of many examples of this is “No King No Princess,” which demands that some snarky, smart-alecky type sing it, lead in by a relaxing beachy intro. The subtle hint of funk in the drums and the occasional appearance of the horns augments it even more.
“Checking on a Message” shuffles along with a sort of accepting annoyance and paranoia brought on by waiting by the phone for something needed, but definitely not something you wanted. It’s easily the most relatable song here. “Goodbye to the Country” is on a similar plane with as “Daylight Saving,” by not oozing memorability, but daintily slapping a smile on a frowned face.
The lyrical peak of the album is “Open Here,” a song very likely inspired by the string orchestration of The Beatles “Eleanor Rigby.” David Brewis comments on his experience with an “it girl,” best put with “Anyone who’s anyone/ They fell for you/ In love with you.” It’s common to think that some social problems aren’t relatable to other people, and boy is it nice to be proven wrong.
“Share a Pillow” has an awesome rock intro (and solid beat throughout), but ends in a distorted, strange way, that doesn’t exactly fit but still manages to work. And man that sax sound is killer. “Front of House” begins sounding like a Soundcloud remix of the music from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, ultimately revealing itself as a wonky 7/4 walkabout that is quite unique.
“Count it Up” sounds like a song heard at a high school prom (maybe a few decades ago) and also like an extension of the Wii Menu music (at least with the synth part at the beginning). A commentary on life in America today, it’s full of quality lyrics, with one standout being “Power and pennies are the only kind of capital.” Chills.
And last yet first, “Time in Joy” is a road trip-with-the-boys song decorated at every corner with ear-tickling production, most notably flutes! Upset with his partner’s lack of dedication, he retorts “So you stayed up late/ Me too,” in hopes of a better relationship soon. It a) has a similar feel to the album’s closer, making for a great tie-in and b) carries the feeling of fall throughout the album. Open Here is a great work in all accounts. Turn this one on to get into that chilled, sunny autumn spirit.
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