KG Fields
"Arminarminarm" CDR
Sort Of Records
Genres: folk, acoustic folk
November 2006 |
This fledgling CDR label has sent me a couple of releases for
inspection, of which KG Fields' Arminarminarm is
chronologically the first. Right from the opening of the package, the
care these folks have put into their releases is obvious.
Hand-assembled slim covers with smart design is what you get with a
Sort Of record, and they've certainly learned that care is the first
step to success.
Musically speaking, this EP does not let down the expectation
garnered from a glance at the whole product. Fields is a
tremendous guitarist, and his pleasant singing makes
for perfect
accompaniment. The EP opens with instrumental "Tacoma" which sets the
mood appropriately, creating a detailed but light and airy atmosphere
as a set-up for the rest of the disc. "Joeline and the Bottlecap
Curtain" introduces Fields' voice (and harmonica), and his
folky, bluesy sound works perfectly. Rhythmic and plucking variation
keeps things interesting without moving towards a
self-indulgent lack of focus. The result is nearly six minutes of perfection. "Ballet
Mechanique Day" reminds me of America in its vocal style and melodic
nature, but in a good way I assure you - sure, there is a lean towards
potentially cheesy soft rock, but Fields pulls it off. The EP closes
off with fifteen minute instrumental "Ragaragar" which might not be
for everyone, but is a varied piece of music in the Fahey
American Primitive tradition. The track's segues and flows make it
consistently interesting and entertaining, and frequent displays of
technical prowess are included quite humbly.
Overall, Arminarminarm is a fine disc and one I'd definitely
pull out in the future. A glance at KG Fields' instrumental and
song-based talents casts no doubt that he's got plenty to show off to
the world in the near future.
85%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 5 tracks, 29:57,
distributed by
the label,
released 2006] |