I’m going to be honest with you here: The first time I listened to this debut release from the duo that is Hamish Duncan (aka Sleep In) and Josh Riley, I was NOT blown away by it. In fact, I had already started formulating my words for this very review, trying to find ways of conveying my not-blown-away-edness without sounding too harsh, being “constructively negative” if you will.
I had reviewed Twins, a release under Hamish’s solo incarnation, Sleep In, a few months back, and had REALLY, REALLY enjoyed it. Really. I remember being blown away by the sophistication and originality of his music and instrumentation, and I’m pretty sure I said so in my review. And now I was disappointed. But, see, here’s the thing: When I had that first listen, I was at my day job, I was working feverishly, and I was not really paying proper attention to what was coming out of my earphones.
And for this, I apologise. Sincerely I do.
The Second Listen
The second time I listened to it, I put the album on in my car. I didn’t expect to enjoy it any more than the first time, but I find driving is the best time to listen to music, you can concentrate on it and really engage with it. So I turned it up loud.
Literally 20 seconds into the first track, I had completely changed my mind about this album. By the time track 2, ‘Game Over’ started rocking my car with its pulsing, industrial beat, I was smitten. In my head, I took all the “constructively negative” things I had been planning on writing, and threw them out of the proverbial window.
In no uncertain terms, this album is amazing. It is dirty, it is heavy, it is sophisticated, it is exciting and it is dangerous. It is way more than the sum of its parts.
Opener ‘The Americans’ is like a little teaser for the rest of the album. Sinister synths over thundering drums with miles of groove. The track is over almost immediately (maybe that’s only because I wanted it to go on forever).
But don’t worry, because ‘Game Over’ brings us back into a beat that would stand up against Trent Reznor’s best. The gritty guitar riff and dreamy synth elevate this track and it evolves into a pulsating, progressive groove.
‘Game Over’ on Soundcloud
Screaming Fields make beautifully sophisticated neo-industrial music. Thumping rhythms, dirty, looping synths, dreamy pads, all come together without in any way overpowering each other. This is one of Screaming Fields main drawing points: their sense of sonic space. There is ALOT going on in their music, but one element never overpowers another.
I have already mentioned Trent Reznor in this review. And, at the risk of coming off as repetitive, I will do so again (and probably will a few more times after this); But this is meant in the most complimentary terms. This album demonstrates the same visionary musical sensibility that Reznor does in his releases. It utilises instruments and sounds that should never work together, and makes something beautiful and challenging out of them.
The music is wonderfully dense, there are so many elements, many that only come through after a few listens. This is the type of album that will keep surprising you even after the 20th repeat. It’s already been a week, and I haven’t really listened to anything else.
What I enjoyed about Sleep In is Hamish’s ability to meld analogue and electronic in a way that not many people can, with a sophistication and skill that, in my humble opinion, puts him right up there with the greats (yes, this is another reference to Trent). And with Screaming Fields that carries through. But don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Six Songs by Screaming Fields is just another Sleep In album. It’s much more than that. There is more refinement here. There is an underlying pop sensibility and melodic thread that runs through the whole album. It also demonstrates amazing consistency without becoming in any way monotonous or “samey”.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this review: I’m sorry. I’m sorry I doubted you, and I’m sorry I didn’t give this album the attention it deserved on my first listen. Because this is the kind of album that is too sophisticated to be given just a passing glance. It is not just six songs by Screaming Fields, it is Six Songs by Screaming Fields. If the fact that this album has been on repeat in both my car and at the office for the last week tells me anything, it’s that I will be listening to it for a long time to come.
Stream and buy the full Screaming Fields album on Bandcamp.
Screaming FieldsIn no uncertain terms, Six Songs by Screaming Fields is amazing. It is dirty, it is heavy, it is sophisticated, it is exciting and it is dangerous.Six Songs by Screaming FieldsWritten by: Max MilneDate Published: 09/29/2013In no uncertain terms, Six Songs by Screaming Fields is amazing. It is dirty, it is heavy, it is sophisticated, it is exciting and it is dangerous.9 / 10 stars
