Crayon Fields - AnimalBells

Mon 18th Sep, 2006 in Music Reviews

A choir of tiny boys sing for the animal lovers.It seems that music these days is becoming more and more like that of the 60s and 70s, reflecting the sounds, trends and attitudes. Slap on a vintage sticker and it will sell like hotcakes. Not that this is a negative thing. On the contrary I think, except perhaps if you are one of those market go-ers who has been tricked into buying non-authentic hippy wares. Luckily with this, music has benefited, creating a place for modern bands, like Melbourne’s Crayon Fields, to flaunt their old-sounding sweeteners.

The Crayon Fields took their first breath in 2002 when the boys were in their last year of high school. Since then the band has released two EP’s, Worms, Worms!! (2003), and The Good Life (2004) and have toured with the likes of the Unicorns, Dirty Three, Electrelane, Deerhoof and Architecture in Helsinki.

The band has now stepped up to release their debut album, Animal Bells, recorded by Simon Knight at Sub Studios in May and co-released by Chapter music and Trifekta records in September this year. A beautiful 12-track album reminiscent of such music from the Beach Boys, the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash, a surf ‘n’ quiet pop record. The album name refers to the animal-shaped toy bells featured in each of the tracks, being just one of many percussive instruments used.

The obvious link Crayon Fields has to this 60s, 70s sound is their use of intricate vocal harmonies, simple lyrics, clean electric guitar and bop-to-bop rhythms. They are not unlike a barbershop quartet and their simple use of rhythm and melodies fit hand-in-hand. This simplicity is no loss to the final result, rather comments highly on their music making skills. The lead vocals of Geoff O’Connor are sweet and subtle, and assume a position somewhere up high, in the falsetto range. The harmonies are almost as prominent as each of the four plays an important role in the vocal bonanza, as well as added guest male and female vocals. Underneath this sits Brett Hudson’s lively bass playing, Chris Hung on second guitar and percussion and Neil Erenstrom on drums.

There are many specifically wonderful tracks to speak of from this colourful record. The sweet sentiments of ‘Living So Well’, beginning with an array of percussive instruments, the clean-cut-guitar and featuring prominent female vocals. Pop sensation ‘Impossible Things’ with driving handclaps and recurring trilling glockenspiel. And the very different ‘Do it First’, which first appeared on their 2004 EP The Good Life, which is a clear indication of the bands progress.

The only detriment to the record perhaps could be the very similar sounds from track to track, but play it again I say, the subtle differences make it special. And one other thing, the record laments the exclusion of the absolutely charming ‘Lovers in your Carpet’, which also featured on The Good Life and could possibly hold a special one-minute place in my heart forever.

Otherwise, a fantastic success and a credit to modern music. This music says something sweetly and even if it’s saying “truly-old-sound in that 60s kinda way”, fear not, you haven’t been deceived.

www.thecrayonfields.com.au/www.myspace.com/thecrayonfields