Field Music are back for round two with Tones of Town the follow-up to their 2005 self-titled debut. The trio, brothers Peter and David Brewis along with keyboardist Andrew Moore who hail from Sutherland in the UK, are once again acting as their own producers and wouldn't you know it - they've gifted themselves with another solid album. Their second disc still has plenty of the lushness and "ooh oohs" that earned them a pack of fans the first time around but now there is a noticeable difference. Instead of resting on their laurels and kicking out more of the same (which a lot of bands would have done on only their second outing) these guys decided to up the ante.
Field Music's latest features layer upon layer of sound. There's more to love this time around than pretty piano melodies. We also have violins, a cello and some electronica to love as well. It's the kind of mix that could easily sink a less capable band, but against all odds, Field Music manages to work some serious magic. "Sit Tight" has the band's dreamy signature harmonies but when they match their vocal lushness with some funky guitar rifts, it's obvious that they're heading in an entirely new direction.
In fact, it seems at times like every musical impulse that the guys ever had wound up somewhere on this disc. Their ode to disconnected youth is called "A House Is Not A Home" which also acts as the overall theme of the album while "Kingston" is a pretty effervescent piece that's over too soon. While you have to admire a group who can wear so many hats (and so successfully for the most part) a few of the tracks do seem to get away from the them. The album’s title track is too chaotic - a perfect case of where less would have been more.
But overall, Field Music are wildly successful. The album's final song, the gorgeous "She Can Do What She Wants" brings the disc to a perfect close. Just when you think the track is over, a few final lilting notes fade back up as if to say, "Yes, believe what you heard." It really was that good! |