The Playing Fields - Hello New World

“Hello New World” is the debut release from U.K’s The Playing Field. I’m not sure how long it took to record this CD, but it sounds like it went through a very well thought-out process in order to reach such a level of atmosphere. The melodies are very well-structured and mesmerizing. Glancing at other reviews, mesmerizing and hypnotic seem to be the catch phrases of description when it comes to these guys, but I think that creative should also be added to that list. They take a style that has been done quite regularly and make it their own. The theme seems to be set with the opening track “Nonesuch Nameless,” which has a slightly moody drone and chiming guitars. The CD does not deviate too much from that feel, except that each song adds something new. You could not really refer to them as progressive shoegazey alt-country, because they’re not, but one does feel compelled to come up with a term for the music they record. They called it Urban Desert. Whatever it is, you’ll find it very easy to forget about life for a while when you’re listening to their CD. The vibe completely sucks you in, and you’re captivated. The best song, in my opinion, is the title track, which is also the final cut. It leaves you wanting more, and I actually found myself smiling when the song started up again after the mock fade-out at 6:03 into the song. A few more seconds of music…abrupt ending…and this brilliant CD is done. I can’t wait till the next one.

Downloads:
Glass And Concrete mp3
Protect The Humans mp3

The Playing Fields myspace page.
Purchase “Hello New World” at Melodic Revolution.com

Hello Operator - Hot Step

I first heard the Toronto band Hello Operator last year on a podcast. It was when they were still known as Go! and it was a song entitled "Hot Step". To put it simply, it blew my mind! The band describe their sound as "The Cars covering "Cars" by Gary Numan." That's actually pretty funny, because I remember thinking that this song is the best Cars song I've heard in years! Now that's a compliment considering that The Cars have been the band to emulate over the last few years. Fountains of Wayne paid homage to them in one of their videos, Weezer had been desperately trying to shed their emo-image by being more Cars-like (until they finally gave up), and have you heard Franz Ferdinand? C'mon!

Hello Operator does it better than anybody. They've received a lot of praise for the first E.P., which garnered them a spot opening for Hillary Duff's last tour (I know, I know...please don't hold this against them too much.) And judging by the demos they've been posting on their myspace page, their full-length is going to be way more fun than mainstream radio usually allows a music lover to have (and many an indie-snob as well for that matter.)

Sadly, I don't have any free downloads to post for this band, but the E.P. is ONLY $5.99 here.
If you don't trust me, than listen to the truly amazing, hella funness of the song "Hot Step"
which, for now, can still be heard on their Pure Volume page which can be found...here!
And you can hear more tunes over on their myspace page.
Then you should buy the E.P. Now.