Wooden Fields – Wooden Fields
Release Date: 8th October 2021
Label: Argonauta Records
Pre-Order
Genre: Classic Rock, Heavy Rock.
FFO: Cream, Deep Purple, Avatarium, Heavy Feather.
Review By: Kenny Newall
Sweden’s newest 70s band features members of Sweden’s older 70s bands (Three Seasons, Sienna Root) as well as the much older British 80s band, Angel Witch*. Confusing I know, but of course those 70s bands are not actually from the 70s, just heavily influenced.
Which is the era newcomers, Wooden Fields cite their influences from, though personally I hear just as much 60s influence, especially from The supergroup, Cream. But there’s also an indie touch, especially in the vocal melodies to give a modern twist to their rubix cube.
But as song number 3 asks, Should We Care(?) (Can they fly high and touch the sky)?* Well, not if you listen to song number 3 as it’s a bit naff, but the rest are shit-numbing badger-lickers. Which is to say, far out for the most part, groovy even, though not quite shit-blinding badger-shaggers. Though who is? (Cream, actually. Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin too, bands it’s clear WF have plenty of time for. Don’t Be A Fool even has a mellow Santana vibe. Whilst Endless Time reminds me of Scorpions). But back to The Orchards and the out of sight solids for me are Read The Signs, Wind Of Hope, the I’m Home solo and the let loose section of the aforementioned DBAF. The album throughout has plenty to satisfy with a soaking of fuzz, solos to wah by, drums that hit it just right and grooves aplenty, but if I have to be critical (which is kinda the point of a review) it’s that vocalist, Sartez Faraj ain’t no Percy or Gillan. Freddie or Tyler. Though he is a bit Jack Bruce in places which I like. He’s decent, but doesn’t have the range and power of his influences. In saying that, his stylings suit the indie side of things that make WF a 90s 70s 20s band. (Ok, so The Orchards is a shit band name, but that’s what wooden fields presumably are. Or forests maybe if they’re big, massive, fuckoff fields. “Walk through the wooden field I can feel that you’re there”).* Anyway.
Now I could have used Read The Signs as the video below, but it’s just a photo and the audio. The video is for Shiver And Shake, which ain’t as good a song and only a slight improvement on the visual stakes, but let it play till the bridge spans as that’s when the good stuff comes out to play. Whilst waiting, though, watch the equalizer graphic for when a note is held it looks like it’s giving you the middle finger. Childish I know, but I was a child in the 70s so I feel illogically justified.
All in all a damn fine listen and yes, you can catch it on the flipside as it’s available on vinyl and cassette. Though, sadly it’s a song short of an 8-track. Which sounds like I’m describing an idiot. Hmm, think I’ll add that to ‘a thrust short of a climax,’ applicable when fellow reviewer and normally all round dynamite dude, Paul Cairney blasphemously berates The Doors and Led Zeppelin.
* “You’re an Angel Witch.” Man, I love that song.
Peace, Love and Granola!
(3.5 / 5)
