Field Music new album 'Open Here', 2nd February 2018

Count It Up sounds like it could have been made by Prince in the mid 80s. I can think of no higher compliment.

Actually, I think the great man himself once tweeted about Field Music approvingly.

 

I got this vibe too -- like Oranges and Lemons-era XTC trying to re-imagine Around The World In A Day.

 

In a just world this band would be bigger. Their music is very thoughtful and well crafted. Open Here is another excellent release by this band.

 

CD analysis:

foobar2000 1.3.10 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2018-02-10 15:37:49
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Analyzed: Field Music / Open Here
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DR Peak RMS Duration Track
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DR11 -0.68 dB -13.28 dB 6:19 01-Time in Joy
DR11 -0.67 dB -13.82 dB 3:42 02-Count it Up
DR10 -0.69 dB -13.80 dB 1:45 03-Front of House
DR10 -0.64 dB -12.73 dB 2:54 04-Share a Pillow
DR10 -0.71 dB -12.87 dB 2:19 05-Open Here
DR10 -0.62 dB -12.12 dB 2:27 06-Goodbye to the Country
DR9 -0.59 dB -11.78 dB 3:21 07-Checking on a Message
DR11 -0.70 dB -13.16 dB 3:40 08-No King No Princess
DR10 -0.69 dB -13.05 dB 3:42 09-Cameraman
DR11 -0.70 dB -13.10 dB 3:38 10-Daylight Saving
DR7 -0.68 dB -10.73 dB 5:31 11-Find a Way to Keep Me
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Number of tracks: 11
Official DR value: DR10

Very good sounding album!

 

Huge Field Music fan, listened to the new LP eight times at least, this is my least favorite album by them, it kicks off with the wonderful 'Time in Joy' and end brilliantly with the glorious 'Find a Way to keep Me' but in between i didn't find much to like, the songs are not restringing with me, i'm not of fan of the jagged funky rhythm that dominate the album, not enough hooks.








'

 

New album on CD is only 7.99 on Amazon now. Ordered.

 

I tried some of their work many years ago and it never struck enough of a chord with me at the time for it to stay on my radar for long (I know Measure for sure was once on my iPod) but “Count It Up” got me interested in the new LP and I’ve been very much enjoying it, there really is no better way to describe it than “XTC meets Prince”, so it helps I enjoy both artists. What’s your favorite record by them? I’ll probably listen to some more on Tidal really soon.

 

I’m in the same boat. Had Tones Of Town for years and never got it. Still don’t. But Plumb was an immediate hit with me, despite being quirky and peculiar (a lot of it was Skylarking meets ELO with some Bonham powered drums). And Commontime is as accessible as they’ve got for me.

 

My favorite are 'Tones of Town' and 'The Week That Was', A Peter Brewis side project which sounds like a Field Music with emphasis on highly melodic lush arrangements, it's flat out gorgeous, please do check it out.
Also Side 3 of 'Measure' on vinyl is just fantastic sequence of songs.

Great band.

 

I love 'Tones of Town' , way more than the new one, their albums do require several listens to fully appreciate, i gave 'Open Here' several spins before i decided to comment on it, it's getting very favorable media reviews, i'm glad people are liking it, richly deserved recognition for them.

 

Thanks for the tip! Tones of Town and Measure are much more to my liking than the Prince side of their work. Will check out the Week That Was album.

 

‘Come Home’ from The Week That Was’ is so beautiful, the piano arrangement gorgeous.

Here it is:

 

Another one from TTW, gorgeous strings at the end merging with the drums, like 'Running up That Hill' with the brodsky Quartet:

 

This record reminds of Steely Dan at their prime.

Quite a sonic and musical journey.

 

Best record I've heard since Tame Impala Currents! Fabulous band.

 

I've never heard the Dan influences, but I will listen again with that in mind!

Makes me smile to see people so enthusiastic about this band & album. They have quite a body of work now! I was in Mexico last week and listened to nothing but their double album, Measure. Great music.

 

Those two are my favorites, along with Plumb, which holds together really well as a sort of modern progressive concept piece. I haven't cared for their more recent stuff as much, but they're definitely a very talented, unsung contemporary band.

 

I've described them like a modern Steely Dan meets Sparks. But then I played some recently for a friend and they rightfully also said some Zappa in places as well.

 

I remember they have denied the Steely Dan influence in interviews. Have to admit that I don't hear it in their music myself, and I am intimitely familiar with the Dan repertoire. Interested to know where do you hear similarities?

 

In the impeccable use of the studio. Craftmanship that keeps an eye on every sonic nuance.

Sound scuplture at its best.

 

I don't love this album quite as much as some of their others but it's still very strong. I must admit that Peter's songs generally end up being my favourites over the long term, and the title track of "Open Here" is another gem from him. But David is no slouch, all the same!

 

I thought they have joint songwriting credits in their CD booklets. How do you know which brother writes which song?

 

Singer is the writer. And their styles are quite distinct.

 

Superb show at the Barbican this evening. Full band, strings, horns, percussionist. No airs or mucking about (David was onstage tuning his own guitar in the interval), just great music.

They alluded to recording a live album- it was an extremely precise show, and the set was primarily comprised of the new album.

 

Got into this band as I'm a Prince fan. He mentioned them on Twitter as others have said. It was the ending to Noisey Days Are Over that caught his ear no doubt. Perfect Lovesexy material.

I preferred Commontime. I secretly wish they would chuck out some more accessible songs like Talking Heads did; clever songs, brilliant musicianship, catchy numbers.