100 Shows of 2010 - #69: Field Music @ Rock'n'Roll Hotel, 9/25/10

I'm sure y'all will know exactly what I'm talking about when I say this, but I have this group of bands that I just for one reason or another have cruelly, and rather unjustly, not given enough due diligence to. I've talked about it before, I'm sure. The bands that, sure, you've heard of, maybe heard a song or two and pretty much thought it was rather good, but just haven't quite managed to make a staple in your listening rota. Well, add Field Music to this list. My lack of anything other than complete and total adoration for them has been, truly, remiss, especially when you consider that a) they're English, and b) know how to grow some mighty fine mustaches. So when my friend Carolyn offered up her extra ticket to this show, I thought it best, prudent, even, to take her up on her kind offer and venture out for what ended up being one surprisingly excellent show.

MINI RECAP: Field Music = Fucking Magic! Overall Score: A

The band, resplendently-mustached (well, half of them), threw out a set of incredibly well-crafted, interesting songs. Dynamic and angular, yet with a certain hint of pastoral sensibilities. In my notes I equate them to a much less cynical and abrasive Young Knives (who, if you're not familiar with, amend that immediately). There was keyboard goodness! There was jauntiness for days! There were even hints of some golden, funky 70s rock that crept in every now and again, adding even more to a sound that already offered so very much to love.

It didn't take me long to realize that I had been oh so shamefully negligent when it comes to Field Music. Not only was their music astounding, but they won serious points with their banter. They went on about Sunderland being near Washington's ancestral home, and having never played a Washington, be it city or state or ancestral home. It became a recurring joke betwixt songs, and caused many a chuckle from the crowd. They're punchy, those Field Music lads. They'll sing you a song in a cheerfully droll tone, with the accompanying guitar riffs so angular and lean they cut right through you. It was like watching a finely-tuned musical machine, so on-point was this band. And think of it like this: Spiky guitars, a kicky little drum beat, and the occasional falsetto. What's not to love??? Not a damn thing, that's the correct answer.

This is a sophisticated band, with quite a lot of texture to their songs. But when you get right down to it, friends, Field Music fucking rocks. Simple as. Go see them!

mp3: Measure (Field Music from Field Music (Measure) )

Free Music Friday: The Timely, Canadian, Rationalizing, Sickly, Give Me Your Email Address, Up and Down Version

For whatever reason, the Powers That Be opted not to drop copious amounts of free mp3s into ye olde inbox this week, but fret not! It'll just harsh your buzz if you do. Besides, because i am such a helluva guy, i scoured the Interwebs near and far to find your lazy asses the best new freebie schwag out there today.

To get things started, we've got the return of Field Music. The boys in the band (brothers Peter and David Brewis [vox], Kev Dosdale [guitar and keys] and Ian Black [bass]) are coming off a "self-imposed three year hiatus" with a new 20-track monster, Field Music (Measure). The boys are touring, too, but alas and alack, are coming nowhere particularly near our neck of the woods. Seriously, though, is it just me or are the vocal similarities between the Brother Brewis and Steely Dan downright uncanny? Regardless, you can stream the entire new CD over here at KCRW.

mp3: Each Time Is a New Time (Field Music from Field Music (Measure)) (right click)

The next few tracks are going to cost you something, but they're three stellar fucking tracks, so get over it. As i mentioned recently, the new currency for most free mp3s is your email address. Take solace in the fact, however, that as soon as these boys (hopefully some of your favorite bands) put out that next 7" that they're only releasing on Record Store Day, you'll be in the know.

Caribou nee Manitoba has a new one coming, too. His Swim hits is scheduled to hit shelves April 20. Each of his CDs has been successively better, so i, at least, have high hopes for this one. His expertise lies in creating electronic music that sounds like anything but. First single "Odessa" is a bit heavier than some of his earlier stuff, but dense means good here.

mp3: Odessa (Caribou from Swim) (left click)

i didn't really know the morning benders for more than their sometimes excellent bedroom covers CD, but it appears i was cutting these cats much less slack than they deserved. Their Big Echo is due March 9. If first track "Excuses" is any indication, this puppy is going to be a monster. Have you seen the accompanying video yet? Old boy is going for a Phil Spector Wall of Sound vibe, and i'll be damned if he doesn't nail it.

mp3: Excuses (the morning benders from Big Echo) (left click)

One of my top five favorite bands, Broken Social Scene, is back after far too long away. Sure, the white Canuck version of Wu-Tang put out a couple of stellar "Broken Social Scene Presents" CDs, but those still weren't the same thing. Can a RZA or Ghostface Killah solo joint ever be quite as strong as a collaborative group effort? i argue no. It appears most of the dates for the upcoming supporting tour for Forgiveness Rock Record (out May 4) are taking place overseas in Europe. Did somebody say "Euro Trip?" Anyway, first single "World Sick" is the type of sprawling rocker we've come to except from these masterful bastards.

As a complete side note, i recently almost broke down into fisticuffs when someone disagreed with me that You Forgot It In People was hands down one of the top 10 CDs of the Aughties. Fortunately, i'm lazy and out of shape, so that didn't happen, but the fact remains, these cats kick a tasty groove, and there ain't no bout a doubt it.

mp3: World Sick (Broken Social Scene from Forgiveness Rock Record) (left click)

To wrap things up, i just received the latest from LET's preferred charitable organization, the Mark Sandman Music Project, who are back with three new free tracks this week. Over the past few months, they've had a very successful run bringing musical opportunities to young people in the Greater Boston Metro Area. They've taught some audio engineering classes, recorded some young up and comers out of high school, and are in the early stages of offering an intensive songwriting and recording class. Of course, none of that is possible without a few ducats from cats like you and me, so let's get with it people, and get to giving. It's the least you can do after all the excellent music the late Mr. Sandman and the boys in Morphine gave and continue to give to the world.

mp3: Yo Yo (Mark Sandman from the Mark Sandman Tribute Recordings) (left click)

The Greatest Getting Ready To Buy A House Mix You Will Ever Hear

(Ed. note: i actually wrote this entire thing yesterday afternoon, but thought i'd have time to post it last night since i hadn't finished the links. Guess i was wrong on that one. Oops.)

OK, kids, i'm going to put together a bid to purchase a house in a couple of hours, so that's obviously going to reflect in this here post o' mine. C'mon, you know how things work 'round these parts by now, don't you? If not, you may really want to rethink majoring in Terrible Chrisology. Sure, the lab work seemed light at first glance, but you knew the readings were going to be killer. Plus, who could have guessed that all that nude modeling was required? What's really disappointing, though, is that your parents honestly believed this was going to be the semester you finally graduated. And now you've let them down again. i hope you are satisfied. Ass hat.

Changing topics completely, anyone out there a Gabriel Garcia Marquez fan? Specifically, have you read The Trail of Your Blood in the Snow? i cut my cuticle nearly seven hours ago, and the damn thing is still bleeding. That can't be good, can it?

Now back to the Greatest Getting Ready To Buy A House Mix You Will Ever Hear...

The Missus probably will disagree, but one of the things i'm most looking forward to regarding buying a new house is the opportunity it will allow me to have a room dedicated entirely to ninjas. While i may or may not be kidding, was your immediate reaction that such a room was incredibly cool or patently lame? Factor your geekdom quotient accordingly. One million bonus points if you're female and went with the former.

mp3: House of Flying Daggers (Raekwon ft. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, Method Man from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt. II)

Who doesn't want their home to be a metaphor for illicit sex? Nobody. Not even your grandfather. While that's probably not the actual metaphor that Zero 7 was shooting for on this track, i stand by my initial statement.

mp3: Home (Zero 7 from When It Falls)

Good advice is good advice.

mp3: A House is Not a Home (Field Music from Tones of Town)

This is going to be the third house we've tried to purchase (first one, the preggers wife of the selling couple went hormonal and decided she didn't want to sell after all; second one, guy didn't like our bid, which was his problem, as he was approximately $100K overpriced; and now this one). Of course, we've already sold the place we live in and have to move out in a few weeks, meaning it's either moving into the Ps' basement or out on the streets if this bid doesn't happen.

mp3: Homeless (Burial from Untrue)

As long as it doesn't go as bad as this, though, i'm sure we'll be fine.