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As we get tons of mail about new music, it's really refreshing to dig out a record that has some serious promise. Singer-songwriter Field Days (neé Patrick Damphier) is channeling many of his multi-talented peers on this record (Iron & Wine and Ben Folds come to mind immediately), and the result is a collection of dynamic acoustic tunes.
The album opener "Half Past Tennessee" is a wonderful one, as it sets the tone for a warm and clean production value that holds consistent throughout the record. Damphier reportedly used a 4-track reel-to-reel in his parents' basement, and the devotion to the old-school technology pays off. Rhythmically, the track moves well, hooks the ear early, and redeems the listener with beautiful vocal harmonies. The voices return on the subdued and painful ballad "Polar Opposites", alongside a quieter fingerpicking track and well-placed kick drum.
Most tunes on Projector have an advanced sense of composition, perhaps one that comes from working with a more limited recording setup. Whether the slower-pace affords Damphier time to consider the construction of each song with a more critical eye, or even if he's had the structure in mind the whole time, we are treated to a well-crafted album.
Continued after the hop, with tour dates and a sweet video.
Bearing that in mind, Field Days is still another singer-songwriter act who will have to exercise every ounce of his musical muscle to break into a crowded, ahem, field of acoustic acts with all sorts of approaches towards production. Inevitably, each new record from this genre is another expression of loves that tried the mind of the voice(s) behind the microphone, and the test comes when listeners decide if they can really relate to the songwriter's viewpoint. "Speak Your Language (Don't Forget to Write)" is a very pretty tune, but the tones of miscommunication and the drifting of love are all too familiar. While Field Days does a good job here, his stronger moments come with more original ideas.
"Old Soldier" is one such idea, and perhaps the most challenging tune on Projector. With more than a little Bob Dylan in mind, Damphier makes his biggest success with this simple rhythm guitar, harmonica, and poignant lyrics. It's a familiar style in a completely new context. We follow the journey of a young recruit thrown into the fray of warfare, and while it's a timeless formula, there is a new sense of confusion and dissatisfaction that aligns with the men and women recently veteraned from Iraq and Afghanistan. Where many similar acts struggle for an entirely new sound, Field Days demonstrates a sense of knowing what has worked in the past and using those facets of folk music to move forward with his own projects.
Overall, is a work that grows on the listener. There's more to Projector than one listen can reveal, and it's certainly worth the time.
Field Days will join The Mynabirds on bass in March for the following dates.
The Mynabirds Featuring Richard Swift Tour Dates:
* W/ Bright Eyes
3/7/11 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
3/10/11 Boston, MA @ House of Blues *
3/11/11 Portland, ME @ State Theatre*
3/13/11 Toronto, ON @ Sound Academy*
3/14/11 Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Theatre*
3/15/11 Chicago, IL @ The Riviera Theatre*
3/16/11 Champaign, IL @ Foellinger Auditorium*
3/17/11 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium*
* W/ Bright Eyes
3/7/11 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
3/10/11 Boston, MA @ House of Blues *
3/11/11 Portland, ME @ State Theatre*
3/13/11 Toronto, ON @ Sound Academy*
3/14/11 Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Theatre*
3/15/11 Chicago, IL @ The Riviera Theatre*
3/16/11 Champaign, IL @ Foellinger Auditorium*
3/17/11 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium*
Per the usual, Projector is available on CD, Vinyl, and digital download via Amazon
. You can even watch the handmade album-packaging process below.
. You can even watch the handmade album-packaging process below. 
1 comment:
Whoa. This is seriously good.
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