PLUMB

Field Music is an art rock band from Sunderland UK led by brothers Peter and David Brewis. "Plumb" is their 4th studio album and in contrast to the previous double album, logs in at a sprightly 36 minutes. I've not heard their older work but this album is purported to lean more "progressive" than the others.

Effervescent was the first adjective to pop into mind after hearing the delicious "Plumb." While the band lists influences such as Roxy Music and Talking Heads, their wide-eyed and ambitious sonic palette brought to mind everything from McCartney vignettes to "Pet Sounds" to Bjork's debut to XTC's "Skylarking." The songwriting approach is what sets "Plumb" apart from so many indie rock albums, which follow the formula of sniffing out a great groove and then latching on for several minutes. By contrast the Brewis brothers throw plastic explosives at their notebook of ideas, and what comes at you feels like a festive carnival at night while on some mind enhancing potions. Track development zigs and zags with a bubbly personality making the tracks as unique as they are addicting. They do not follow the typical linear song structures but instead change course almost constantly within tracks so that things are rarely predictable. Lush instrumentation blends with samples, orchestration, sound effects, vivacious vocals, infectious guitar lines and large bass presence. When the melodic payoffs do come about they are rich and easy to digest. Some of my favorite moments sound positively ripped from another generation, classic pop moments with sweeping strings and heartfelt harmonies...classic but not pining retro, as the overall feel remains confidently modern. While there are a few average moments "Plumb" overall is highly diverse and consistent. Though as some have pointed out, that diversity of ideas can sometimes feel rushed leaving good ideas not quite fully examined. This makes the short album much more effective as an album, much less so as single tracks on your personal player.

Despite a couple of unfortunate lyrical choices and a willingness to cross the "too cute for their own good" line in a few places, "Plumb" is a very solid release which will spice up any block of your listening time. Great cover art too. 7/10

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