Lexington Field "No Man's War" New Folk Records/Blind Eye Records NFR5882
Release date: May 28, 2013
Running time: 43:06, 14 tracks
At the end of 1969 the British band Fairport Convention released their fourth album “Liege & Lief” and a new era was born. Once Dave Swarbrick joined as a permanent fiddler, the band was able to develop a new sound electrifying traditional British or traditional British inspired material.
At the end of May 2013 Lexington Field have released their fourth recording. The Californian band has labeled their sound as American Fiddle Rock. This can be defined as a blend of Cami’s brilliant fiddling with their bandmates punk/rock abilities. Lexington Field had shown the main elements of this A.F.R. on previous releases, but there was always a Celtic element on their music. With “No Man’s War” they have decided to go a step forward and they have wanted to get rid of the Celtic element and put the American element at the center of their sound. And they have stated it clearly: “No Man’s War” is the Ultimate American Fiddle Rock Album.
Release date: May 28, 2013
Running time: 43:06, 14 tracks
At the end of 1969 the British band Fairport Convention released their fourth album “Liege & Lief” and a new era was born. Once Dave Swarbrick joined as a permanent fiddler, the band was able to develop a new sound electrifying traditional British or traditional British inspired material.
At the end of May 2013 Lexington Field have released their fourth recording. The Californian band has labeled their sound as American Fiddle Rock. This can be defined as a blend of Cami’s brilliant fiddling with their bandmates punk/rock abilities. Lexington Field had shown the main elements of this A.F.R. on previous releases, but there was always a Celtic element on their music. With “No Man’s War” they have decided to go a step forward and they have wanted to get rid of the Celtic element and put the American element at the center of their sound. And they have stated it clearly: “No Man’s War” is the Ultimate American Fiddle Rock Album.
Lexington Field's new CD is a present to any music fan. The album has been produced by Jeff Berkley and mastered by Gramy Award winner Gavin Lurssen. A bunch of friends have added their talents to this master piece: Matt Maulding (Brick Top Blaggers, accordion), Dennis Caplinger (banjo), Josh Linden (Hoist the Colors, mandolin and vocals) and Anthony Belluto (guitar) among others. The digipack includes 20-page booklet featuring artwork by Jose Pimienta (a drawing for every song) and all the lyrics, credits and liner notes. Regarding the packaging, Lexington Field have done a great job as usual.
That’s the wrapper, but what about the present itself? The opening track, "Fiddle Fister" , an instrumental written by Cami, let you know what to expect from this album. The following tracks have a So Cal punk twist, mainly “American Crow”. But the core of “No Man’s War” runs from track 6 to track 10. “Rest of Our Days” and “Here’s to You” are the catchiest songs of the album. The former features a reggae part and the guest appearance by Josh Linden on mandolin. The latter features guest banjo player Dennis Caplinger. He also appears on “Dear Old Friend”, an acoustic song on which neither bass, nor drums are featured. “The Chemical Workers Song” gets the Lexington Field treatment with aggressive vocals by Beau that differs from Great Big Sea’s rendition. And the theme from the “Last of the Mohicans” OST “Promontory” is the perfect definition of American Fiddle Rock. Before the CD is over another couple of gems are offered: the instrumental written by Cami “Lady Arlington”, which has a Celtic Canadian twist, and “Tumble”, another acoustic number.
2011-2013 will be remembered as the period in which a fistful of bands decided to stretch the boundaries of the Celtic punk/rock genre. And, at the forefront of this movement, a couple of Californian bands are really shining: Hoist the Colors and Lexington Field.
Tracklist:
01 - Fiddle Fister 0:53
02 - American Crow 2:16
03 - Daniel Plainview Has a Drinking Problem 2:45
04 - Crazy Eyes 3:52
05 - Fireworks 3:55
06 - Rest of Our Days 3:29
07 - Dear Old Friend 2:52
08 - Variation On Promontory 2:04
09 - The Chemical Worker’s Song 2:21
10 - Here’s to You 4:30
11 - Cursing the Man 3:45
12 - Pioneer 4:42
13 - Lady Arlington 2:19
14 - Tumble 3:18
That’s the wrapper, but what about the present itself? The opening track, "Fiddle Fister" , an instrumental written by Cami, let you know what to expect from this album. The following tracks have a So Cal punk twist, mainly “American Crow”. But the core of “No Man’s War” runs from track 6 to track 10. “Rest of Our Days” and “Here’s to You” are the catchiest songs of the album. The former features a reggae part and the guest appearance by Josh Linden on mandolin. The latter features guest banjo player Dennis Caplinger. He also appears on “Dear Old Friend”, an acoustic song on which neither bass, nor drums are featured. “The Chemical Workers Song” gets the Lexington Field treatment with aggressive vocals by Beau that differs from Great Big Sea’s rendition. And the theme from the “Last of the Mohicans” OST “Promontory” is the perfect definition of American Fiddle Rock. Before the CD is over another couple of gems are offered: the instrumental written by Cami “Lady Arlington”, which has a Celtic Canadian twist, and “Tumble”, another acoustic number.
2011-2013 will be remembered as the period in which a fistful of bands decided to stretch the boundaries of the Celtic punk/rock genre. And, at the forefront of this movement, a couple of Californian bands are really shining: Hoist the Colors and Lexington Field.
Tracklist:
01 - Fiddle Fister 0:53
02 - American Crow 2:16
03 - Daniel Plainview Has a Drinking Problem 2:45
04 - Crazy Eyes 3:52
05 - Fireworks 3:55
06 - Rest of Our Days 3:29
07 - Dear Old Friend 2:52
08 - Variation On Promontory 2:04
09 - The Chemical Worker’s Song 2:21
10 - Here’s to You 4:30
11 - Cursing the Man 3:45
12 - Pioneer 4:42
13 - Lady Arlington 2:19
14 - Tumble 3:18
http://www.reverbnation.com/lexingtonfield
http://www.myspace.com/lexingtonfield
https://twitter.com/lexingtonfield
Click to buy the CD:
http://lexingtonfield.bandcamp.com/album/no-mans-war
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lexingtonfield4
The digital version of their elusive first EP is also available at CDbaby
Review by Kinksmarkham
http://www.myspace.com/lexingtonfield
https://twitter.com/lexingtonfield
Click to buy the CD:
http://lexingtonfield.bandcamp.com/album/no-mans-war
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lexingtonfield4
The digital version of their elusive first EP is also available at CDbaby
Review by Kinksmarkham
And Last of the Mohicans, of course, borrowed that theme from Dougie Maclean's composition, "The Gael."
ReplyDeleteYou're right Nolan. In fact they state it clearly on the booklet: "Adapted from "The Gael" by Dougie MacLean.
ReplyDeleteInspired by a portion of "Promontory" by Trevor Jones & Randy Edelman from the original motion picture soundtrack to "The Last of the Mohicans""
Thanks for the feedback!