New Strapping Fieldhands Traverse River

August ’21 music is strong. Although there have been many losses to the veterans of music such as Dusty Hill and more, new life abounds. As it should be. John Meat, noob to the Strapping Fieldhands makes the attempt to cross the Susquehanna. Andy Bell of Ride(under the name GLOK ) is gearing up for some electronic heavy album action in October. Yes, I mention him alot, because I love Ride and his solo work. Other attempts at covering music that is fresh aka new releases is less fruitful.

Strapping Fieldhands – Across The Susquehanna – Petty Bunco Records

As a neophyte into the world of The Strapping Fieldhands keep in mind a few points. I may not know how to appropriately cross reference the Fieldhands. Most of the music I listened to for a great many years barely touched upon anything remotely like them. As a result, I can comment on the overall sentiment and tone. Guitar tones especially. Also I’d like to think this album is appropriate to start the journey and then backfill my ear canals with older stuff. Actually I enjoyed Discus quite spankingly so here we go, riverbound !

First to traverse is Ingrid In Glasses. Where was this Ingrid when I was alone roaming the Philly streets !?! This tune is skillful play on words. Prose like lyrics, infectious earworm like rhymes. Warm piano with Sgt. Pepper like horn accents. This track speaks softly but still manages to make a grand entrance.

Next, Lost On The Road To Perdition is a slurred meandering down a road that no wretch should dally on. Strapping Fieldhands, however lost they may be, they seem content. Some of the squawkiest wah follows closely behind another tangled tale. Think of a thirsty Joe Walsh in a dusty gully. After coming around, but not too much, we’re still woozy.

The title track Across The Susquehanna is a bit out of my zone, but no less captivating. Mournful vocal tone that sounded akin to Leon Redbone’s Shine On Harvest Moon. Again, this is off my radar, but it has my attention.

For those who quest wet (effects) and warbling guitar tones,The Hand That Plays Calliope is some of the coziest thus far.

Why Did You Fly is longer than the others but only about three minutes total. The flurry of a flute stands out on this. Skillful guitar slides. More power wah rouses you out of the enchantment of the flute tones.

Next is JoyRide. Unadulterated fun truckin’ music. Another yarn like only they can tell. No spoilers. This track and I’m Looking At You are a celebratory honking and squawking time. If you can’t clap along or see the merit then you are probably one of those who doesn’t appreciate other classic sounds (fill in your own classics here).

Two Drops Of Dew is intimate and coming from a place of knowing beauty swirled with pain, not just simulating it. The acoustic notes gently trickle along. Sublime.

I’m Looking At You is the funnest guitar jamboree that a ramshackle barn can handle. Twangy, slip slidey, notes that make you want to stomp along. It abruptly stumbles and clatters to an end.

He’s a Chart Topper! has the off kilter vocal styling but more lively. It’s as if they’re trying to sell you on this chart topping individual with enthusiastic fanfare. Then the song exits with wahhed out guitar. I just want to know one thing, how’d they get that wah tone to sound like it sucked helium? It’s not full blown helium pitched up, instead it’s as if it’s just about to have the effect wear off, only for a long duration. It’s not a wah tone I am accustomed to. Praise that, how much Edie Brickell and pseudo funk/ auto wah can you take? I assure you it’s not that.

City Of Pain, we’ve all exited there on the suffering highway at one time or another and have gone blazing down its streets. Clocking in at a short two minutes, Strapping Fieldhands could have wrote a longer song.

Rather than belabor City Of Pain.. It’s as if they acknowledge, accept it, and nearly throw caution into the wind about it.

Hold Me cruises by offering plinking yet velvety piano. This one is a lovesong without the sappiness you find in mainstream pop.

The background vocals and squeal of the wah ensure that this and the other songs stay rooted in Pennsylvania soil.

Conversely, they go grittier on Howlin’ Snakedirt . Broken rhythms undulate and walk on earthy grooves that some would fear to tread on. Added touch of a warm keyboard or organ to offset and yet still compliment the other darker, ruptured, sounds.

Finally we come to Danielle, It’s Only Wednesday. We all forget what day it is, let this be a reminder. Zealous, piano driven tunefulness that ends Across The Susquehanna on a upbeat high note. As a person who was stuck in hardcore, metal, and other genres, Across The Susquehanna is a welcome change. If you already dig these guys, this one is a no brainer. Get it. If you want to flip your music listening a bit, this river excursion will do the trick.

Goth Brooks – Christmas In Black

If you want a twist of lime in your whiskey pardner.. What’s that you say ? Goth death metal is your thing? Look no fodder, it’s Goth Brooks. If you listen to this Xmas EP and think it makes no sense, let me ask you. How much sense does it make to put out Halloween merchandise in July and Xmas in August? Goth Brooks is exactly as their name suggests. Goth and country.

On this EP they turn up the goth vocals up until it feeds back into black metal Scandinavian forest realms.

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree has a beat you’d expect to hear in late 80’s synth wave projects. Abrasive scratchy death like vocals. I’m sure if nothing else you can use this to annoy uptight people.

Next a cover of Last Christmas. It’s not instantly recognizable as such. Which is ok with me. I worked in retail for so long I have heard several George Michael versions, plus more. Goth Brooks has literally taken an overplayed song and given it a new , fresh spin. All within the hottest month. Don’t get me wrong, there are certain George Michael songs that I do actually love because I’m a fool for melody. Conversely , Monkey, Last Christmas make me want to destroy entire aisles of grocery stores. On a similar note. Feliz Navidad and Silent Night same. But if you play the Goth Brooks versions over retail loudspeakers this August til December 24th. Shopping and people in general could be less annoying. Get your shopping in early here http://gothbrooksband.com/

GLOK – Singles from Pattern Recognition – Bytes Records

Lastly, more Andy Bell material. GLOK is Andy’s electronic based project when he is not writing under his name, or playing in RIDE. Here is the link https://glok.bandcamp.com/album/pattern-recognition?fbclid=IwAR203d9U6py2Qc1843vCVrxFiJrFzPP_Xs6Z_RgWYr_8cbaW_wJ3FsjfYw8

First single we have is Closer. Electronic is an understatement. Hear me out though. the hi hats and electronic low end are crafted well. Bell adds delay to repeat signals and aid you in tripping the fuck out. I’ve listened to some house , techno, electronica over the years. With Closer you can do far worse. You get some tension building, sweet little percussions that remind me of a soft wood block. I want to dislike it, but it is a purely fun dance track. Lots of rhythmic layering , and only a touch of the ether you find in his other band Ride. Perfect for the time right before they spin after hours downbeat music to chill to. So I am told at least.

If this review seems too critical keep in mind, I , the listener, am by no means an electronic, techno, or dance music expert. So any perceived faults are probably my lack of education on the matter

Next is That Time of Night (feat Shiarra) If instrumental is not your thing, this one has spoken word vocals to wake you up. Even more dance inspired, the synthesized bass and snare sets a very sexy dance beat. New wave inspired washes of synth come in and give some lift to the bass heaviness. This track is nearly nine minutes, so one has to be really into this type of thing or dancing to it.

That white cat who bobs its head to music will be all over it. If one can make it the ending 30 seconds or so is fast delay that sputters gradually into silence and fades.

Thirdly, the last single until Pattern Recognition drops is Maintaining the Machine (feat Sinead O’Brien) This one is my favorite of the three. More electronic and female fronted sexiness ensues. Maintaining The Machine offers gaziness of Andy’s other work, marriaged with sequenced parts and synths. Swirling and whistling sounds that drop in and out with gentle bounces. Sinead O ‘Brien’s vocal musings really tie it all together. The melodies are rich so that I don’t really need to know what she’s talking about but I am interested to know. This track may feature some guitar, six string and bass. Not enough to be blatant. Just a touch.

Maintaining The Machine is an alluring song that you can get lost in for about seven minutes.

You don’t need to dance, the other two are more conducive to nite club spins. I cannot fault Mr. Bell. This is another facet of his genius.

August ’21 is a hard month in my area. By now it’s at least the third month of heat so hot you can bake stuff in your car. You can dry wet laundry in about 40 minutes, Staying indoors in climate control is my respite. Listening to these releases helps. Let’s hope the live music comes back full swing worldwide.