DEADEN THE FIELDS

I wrote a really long, track by track review of this album, but I left the laptop laying around while I attended to something else before I pressed submit and my fiance navigated away from this page, erasing the longest review of my extremely short career here at PA so this version will be short and sweet. If you liked Tiny Fragments you'll love this album. If you thought the Contextually Inept single was a step down from previous material as I did and feared it was a sign of things to come, don't worry, it's not. This is TTOL's best stuff so far. The only difference in the sound is that they filed down their influences as to not be all over the place anymore. Gone are the metal sections and the random dissonant riffs. I'd describe this band as having a post-rock orientated guitarist playing over a fusion trio of bass, drums and keys. The whole band uses the post-rock of long crescendo, breakdown, crescendo frame perfectly, although the only negative thing I'd have to say is that they stick to it a bit too much making it a bit predictable by the end of the album. The drums and keys are the lead instruments here, the bass is basic and the guitars often backround. Every track flows into the next one seemlessly so you'll have the impression it's one long track. I really enjoyed it, but because of the fact they use the same structure for every song I can't give this a 5 star review. 4.25 rounded down to 4.

'Deaden The Fields' is their first full album, recorded during the early three months of 2011. A wonderful piece of work, let me tell you. Overall an one hour lasting post rock symphony I would say so, yeah .. don't know if this expression ever has been used to describe music ... nor exactly matches. Never mind, I'm still in favour. The arrangements are complex, challenging - Ron Pollard's (sparkling) piano submits a classical touch all over. Guitarist Andrew McDonald varies a lot, reminiscent to the band Grails - from accentuated accompaniment to strong riffs and soaring sound walls, as well as diverse fusion-esque moments reminding me of Terje Rypdal for example. Ambitious, while also including samples and diverse electronica gimmicks - this altogether sounds so mature, rounded - cool!

I would say the epic Landmark hereby arranges the centerpiece - endurance is required - while starting with something like a cacophony this is courageous, well it's the risk of confrontating the listener with a 'problem' right from the start ... followed by lovely charming piano passages though, kicking you into a another (jazzy) direction soon. All in all this song is an awesome rollercoaster trip which you won't forget so fast, impossible to describe in its entirety. If someone misses a stronger guitar presence at some point Deep Rivers Run Quiet then makes it, provided with a notable spacey touch.

More cinematic/ambient impressions are coming up during the closing epic They Found My Skull In The Nest Of A Bird - dramatic - with Ben Stacy they have a playful drummer aboard for sure. All in all the songs combine a special alliance of melody and eclecticism - once jumping on the bandwagon this album is definitely captivating. I find 'Deaden The Fields' a very entertaining opus which certainly deserves a place on my best-of list for 2011. I recommend to reserve enough time to assimilate this in one go as a unity. A great, partially puzzling experience - 4.5 stars for now, as it surely needs some time to prove a potential masterpiece assignment.