Album Review: Lee Fields ‘Faithful Man’
Expectations can be a tricky bitch. English poet Alexander Pope likely summed it up best when he said, “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” Wise words from a smart man, but unfortunately for Mr. Pope, expectations are unavoidable. We stroll through life constantly prepping our minds for the next pitch, taking the curve balls in stride and reacting as best we can.
I had great expectations for Lee Fields’ latest release Faithful Man. Fields and his backing band, The Expressions, hit heavy on my pleasure points on their 2009 release My World. The album catered to all of my guilty pleasures, unleashing a powerful blend of soulful vocals, addictive key strokes and the type of sultry horn lines that will keep a bedroom rocking until sunrise. Better still, My World accomplished all of this effortlessly, without the material ever feeling forced or reaching for something bigger than it was.
This month, Lee Fields & The Expressions are back with Faithful Man. The album opens with the title track. Here, Fields leads the listener down the familiar path of admirable intentions and less than admirable behavior. A motif as old as the blues, yet as relatable as the morning headlines. The vocals are strong but feel pushed to the brink, with Fields’ voice breaking as he struggles to compensate for a cluttered production. I am also irked by the production on the backing vocals, where the singers wind up closer to The Chipmunks than The Chiffons.
Next up on the track list is “I Still Got It.” And that ain’t no lie. Even at 61 years young, Fields still has an edge. He’s still catching panties from the third row and moving crowds with the best of them. The song showcases the cocksure delivery that led hip-hop artists to resurrect Fields’ career a few years back. Unfortunately, this album appears to reach for those moments rather than let them fall where they may.
For me, the mellowed out tracks “Still Hanging On” and “Moonlight Mile” are where Faithful Man hits its stride. This is classic soul, and Fields sounds at ease. Elegant, shimmering keys and a simple snare line lead the way on the latter. Here, the band builds around Fields rather than on top of him.
For all of my griping, I still dig this release. More than that, I would stand in line for hours to see this band live. I have no doubt that Fields and The Expressions would bring the house down. Faithful Man may lack that stand out, home-run track that I was looking for. But be sure, that it avoids any stand out failures just the same. Play it for your parents. Play it for your lover. Both will be grateful.
Check out Lee Fields & The Expressions in a video for “Faithful Man” below, where the band offers up the type of restrained focus that I was hoping for throughout this release. Enjoy the bit of dialogue on the front end of the video where Fields reminds us that he is still “the coolest motherfucker to ever sing words into a microphone.”
Connect with Lee Fields & The Expressions via Facebook
Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks: Mix Tape 6
Rob
Slothpop “Kokoro”
Youth Lagoon “Cannons”
The Strange Boys “Be Brave”
The Ettes “Teeth”
Brett
Pinback “Good to Sea”
Grizzly Bear “Cheerleader”
Howler “Wailing (Making Out)”
Junior Walker & The All Stars “What Does it Take (To Win Your Love)”
Greg
Dom “Family of Love”
Cut Copy “Time Stands Still”
Gardens & Villa “Star Fire Power”
LCD Soundsystem “Home”
Ben
Fugazi “Turnover”
Bad Brains “I Against I”
Slickee Boys “Escalator 66”
Black Flag “Six Pack”
Album Review: Oberhofer ‘Time Capsules II’
I am a firm believer that we all have the ability to create our own paths in life. A mixture of talent, confidence, hard work while continuing to treat people well will open many opportunities in life. Maintaining a sense of ownership and garnering an entrepreneurial type of spirit is not easy for most, but comes naturally to others. This is why I am drawn to the independent music scene. These bands are artists, marketers, sales people, and their own PR departments. They make music, tell everyone to come to their shows, build a pipeline of fans while hawking merchandise, and emailing fellow bloggers asking them to promote their new single. There are many more components to this madness, but these are just a few I want to point out to try and display some appreciation for the work that independent musicians do.
Brad Oberhofer’s release of his debut LP Time Capsules II this week is a story to highlight. Oberhofer migrated from his home in Tacoma, Washington out east to the mecca of independent music Brooklyn to intern at prestigious independent label Matador records. During his tenure of running errands and doing the dirty work that keeps these labels moving, Oberhofer created a demo and slipped it to the people in charge. The talent was noticed and the opportunity was seized. Oberhofer grabbed other available musicians to build sound to his life show and the rest is history. The best part of this story is that Oberhofer chose to name his band Oberhofer, which shows his ownership in his self-made brand.
After hearing the first few songs streaming online I was in fully engaged with the release of this record. Time Capsules II is fast, happy, and well thought out music that could not come at a better time of the year. It sounds like it is comfortable projecting off the walls of a dirty old garage. Oberhofer presents a Wavves like vibe while channeling lo-fi influence. This is a recipe that hardly ever disappoints for me and is recommended to anyone who smiles at a healthy dose of electric guitar.
Track, “Away Frm U” is an anthem. This song should be played for those needing a lift. Melodic notes introduce the song backed by a deep drum beat. Oberhofer screams, “You’re pushing me away from you and there is nothing I can do, and I can’t fight all your battles for you”. This is a strong statement that is supported by synthesizers and whistles for color. This track is made for those waiting for the wonderful independence that summer offers.
“Away Frm U”
I will endorse “oOoO” as my favorite track on the album. A mellow beginning turns into a standing-room-only chorus in a matter of seconds. Line, “And the city is feeling queer and crass with beer cans rolling in blades of grass to look like something new”, displays Oberhofers’ creative, relatable approach to his words. The delivery is simple, effective and motivating for listeners. This is a song that forces a smile while eliminating the mid season doubt. It’s a catalyst that has expedited my spirits when looking forward.
“oOoO”
Oberhofer’s strong point is his ability to accept influences while remaining creative. This record is an extension of a segment of music that I believe a majority of readers of this blog enjoy. Oberhofer’s ability to make ‘Time Capsules II” possible should be noted. He is his own company and has me convinced to invest early.
Connect with Oberhofer via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Brett McGrath
Thought on Tracks 