An atmospheric A-side and intense yet laidback B-side which will go down well with fans of the Arcade Fire and those who miss System of a Down.
Anglo-Icelandic band Fields formed in London and played their first live shows in 2006, provoking interest from several record companies and eventually being signed to Atlantic Records. Earlier this year Fields released their debut album 'Everything Last Winter', and 'Songs For The Fields' (a re-release, having originally appeared as a single release last year) is the third track from it to be available as a single.
'Songs For The Fields' opens atmospherically in a haze of guitar strumming and almost choral vocals - bringing to mind System of a Down's 'Aerials' and Arcade Fire's debut album. Walls of sound are built up only to be knocked down by a plethora of rock instruments who play under the vocal refrain. The track's second half is dominated by screaming guitars and fast drum beats that may initially seem to have more appeal for the metal crowd more than the indie fans but which are orchestrated well enough to offer considerably more than mere noise.
B-side 'Nine Stones' is a still intense yet slightly more laid back affair, showcasing the band's sound when they are in a less high-energy mood. It isn't quite as instantly likable or memorable as 'Songs For The Fields' but gives the listener a greater idea of the range of music Fields have to offer and thus what to expect from their album.