UTOPIAN FIELDS

UTOPIAN FIELDS were a six piece band out of Norway who released two studio albums starting with this their self titled debut from 1989. Two guitarists, organ, bass, drums and vocals. Two guests add harmonica and flute. In the liner notes we get this line taken from the closing track "Beyond your heart in darkness, there's a light shining bright. He's the key to Utopian Fields..." Love it! This was recorded in August of 1989 and we get five tracks covering about 45 minutes worth of music.

I was surprised to see this band listed under Neo-Prog here. I really like the male singer along with the lyrics. The organ tends to create atmosphere by floating along. The opener is my favourite with that relaxed and uplifting sound often created by the guitar. "Sun" is similar in sound to the opener as again vocals come and go. "Cloudless Sulphur" has a flute intro and I really like when it all builds after 2 1/2 minutes then it settles right down again, harmonica too. Vocals around 4 minutes in this 10 minute song. The closer is the longest at over 12 minutes and there's some FLOYD moments with the floating organ and guitar. Vocals at 5 1/2 minutes and it turns powerful after 6 minutes but then settles back again.

I just enjoy their sound and while I'm not blown away by any means this is worthy of the 4 stars.