Hired Goon
05-03-2006, 09:39 PM
Field Songs is Mark Lanegan's fourth solo effort since he earlier headed up the Screaming Trees in the late 80's/early 90's. Punters may recognize his name from his involvement in the Josh Homme extravaganza that is Queens of the Stone Age, plus Desert Sessions installments. Do not be deceived, as Lanegan's solo work is an entirely different beast.
This record is best described as melancholy. Whilst that can be a clichéd way to introduce an album, it is nonetheless justified. The opening track “One Way Street” kicks off the album with the lyric "The stars and the moon aren't where they're supposed to be". This certainly sets the tone for the rest of the album. Lanegan moves into “No Easy Action” – a hypnotic and exotic tune that evokes images of traveling in a desert entourage, and then moves seamlessly into the short but beautiful acoustically signature “Miracle.”
The primary highlight of the album follows with “Don't Forget Me” a tale of lost love which features the eloquent lyrics "and what else do we find, but sorrow and misery untold/ I know you've got somebody new, much better than me, when that change starts to swing, keep in mind one thing, don't forget me dear."
From there comes the title song “Field Songs,” which is brief and brooding effort that accentuates Lanegan's almost Tom Waits sounding voice. Then comes another highlight of the album with the tranquil and relaxing “Kimiko's Dream House,” one of the less somber tunes on the album, before rounding out with the hypnotic “Resurrection Song.”
The strength of this album is the well-written and produced acoustic songs. Together with Lanegan's dark brooding vocals, a sense of atmosphere and depth is created that stands the test of time. It is quite American and possibly best listened to with a bottle of your favorite whiskey and some hard times to reflect on. Either way, it is one of my favorite albums in my collection and I thoroughly recommend it.
This record is best described as melancholy. Whilst that can be a clichéd way to introduce an album, it is nonetheless justified. The opening track “One Way Street” kicks off the album with the lyric "The stars and the moon aren't where they're supposed to be". This certainly sets the tone for the rest of the album. Lanegan moves into “No Easy Action” – a hypnotic and exotic tune that evokes images of traveling in a desert entourage, and then moves seamlessly into the short but beautiful acoustically signature “Miracle.”
The primary highlight of the album follows with “Don't Forget Me” a tale of lost love which features the eloquent lyrics "and what else do we find, but sorrow and misery untold/ I know you've got somebody new, much better than me, when that change starts to swing, keep in mind one thing, don't forget me dear."
From there comes the title song “Field Songs,” which is brief and brooding effort that accentuates Lanegan's almost Tom Waits sounding voice. Then comes another highlight of the album with the tranquil and relaxing “Kimiko's Dream House,” one of the less somber tunes on the album, before rounding out with the hypnotic “Resurrection Song.”
The strength of this album is the well-written and produced acoustic songs. Together with Lanegan's dark brooding vocals, a sense of atmosphere and depth is created that stands the test of time. It is quite American and possibly best listened to with a bottle of your favorite whiskey and some hard times to reflect on. Either way, it is one of my favorite albums in my collection and I thoroughly recommend it.