BLACKFIELD

This record fits perfectly along with "Lightbulb Sun" and "Stupid Dream".Three albums that are chalk full of excellent melodic tracks that are on the darker side. Aviv Geffin who is a star in his home country of Isreal plays keyboards and sings lead on two tracks "Pain" and "The Hole In Me". Interestingly enough four songs have been released as singles in Isreal "Hello", "Pain", "Cloudy Now" and "Blackfield".This album does remind me of PORCUPINE TREE with it's fairly dark, melancholic and emotional music. There is sampled mellotron throughout this disc as well as a guest string quartet.

"Open Mind" opens with acoustic guitar and reserved vocals before it kicks in around a minute.The contrast continues. Strings after 3 minutes to the end. "Blackfield" opens with piano then a full sound comes in.Vocals before a minute. Sampled mellotron and organ too, but it's all about Steven's vocals on this one. Guitar to end it. "Glow" features keys and a melancholic mood. Mellotron comes in with the vocals. It kicks into gear before 3 minutes. "Scars" opens with vocals and a beat. I like when the chorus comes in with strings. The contrast continues.

"Lullaby" opens with piano as vocals arrive before a minute. Strings come in when the vocals stop and this contrast continues. "Pain" has a good beat as Aviv comes in on vocals. A fuller sound comes in on the chorus. Great sound. I like the strummed guitar and organ before 2 1/2 minutes. "Summer" is a gorgeous track with the strummed guitar and vocals. Drums and synths join in as well. I like the tasteful guitar before 2 1/2 minutes. "Cloudy Now" features some excellent synths as the guitar is strummed. Piano comes in on the chorus. Meaningful lyrics on this one about today's society. "The Hole In Me" has processed vocals with a circus-like melody. It kicks in around a minute as the contrast continues. "Hello" opens with reserved vocals and piano before a fuller sound comes in.

I'm back over 2 years later (Feb.3/09) to say it's held up well, I still think it's worth the 4 stars I originally gave it. I really like the bonus track "Perfect World" but I still don't like "Where Is My Love ?" so I stop the cd before that track comes on. Haha.