Elysian Fields

Consolator · 10-15-2010, 10:36 PM

Elysian Fields is an alternative rock / acoustic band from NYC. The singer, Jennifer Charles, has a raspy, Mazzy Star-esque voice. Most of their stuff comprises of mellow, slower songs. They have a few uptempo rock tracks sprinkled through their impressive five album career. I find her voice to be heavenly. This is not music that will make you want to dance -- this is perfect for drifting into sleep in the darkness. There isn't that much of their stuff on youtube. I tried to get a bit of everything in the videos.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 10-15-2010, 11:37 PM

Even if the strangest of circumstances in other threads are what brought this to my attention, I can't say this is bad at all. The thing I do like is that from song to song there's a completely different emotional tone. As for the singer lady's voice, can't say it's bad at all.

Kind of exactly what you'd expect from a more underground minimalist group. Which is it's greatest pro, and it's greatest con. A wide variety of instrumental tones, calm mellow textures, very soulful and melodic. Instrumental parts are kept simple as to allow the narrative to be told by the singer's voice which is quite pleasant.

However, in that sense, there's not as much that would set this music apart from a lot of the minimalist acts akin to it. Like the 50ish smokey lounge tone to most of it. A few of the songs had their cheesy moments, especially in presentation of vocals(which again aren't bad, but have their kitsch moments, and only small moments, thrown in that distract from the overall feel). However, small gripe in their success of acquiring the rich atmospheric textures they present.

Not cream pantsworthy but definitely an enjoyable listen.

Mondo Bungle · 09-29-2011, 11:05 PM

Aarrgh, there's only 2 people into this band?!
This is perfect for just drifting off into a deep darkness of downtempo ecstasy.

Jennifer Charles' voice turns me on.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 09-30-2011, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mondo Bungle

Aarrgh, there's only 2 people into this band?!
This is perfect for just drifting off into a deep darkness of downtempo ecstasy.

Jennifer Charles' voice turns me on.

Eh, worse yet, this thread was created entirely out of an argument in the Gaga thread between me and Consolator.

Still, it's a damn good band. Shame there is as little interest as there is.

paulr · 10-02-2011, 03:39 PM

Count me in - I have a couple of their albums, but then Im a sucker for female voices.
So sad the Hyperium 'Heavenly Voices' series is over - Hyperium records RIP

10-15-2010, 10:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Consolator ¬¬!! Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 98	Elysian Fields Elysian Fields is an alternative rock / acoustic band from NYC. The singer, Jennifer Charles, has a raspy, Mazzy Star-esque voice. Most of their stuff comprises of mellow, slower songs. They have a few uptempo rock tracks sprinkled through their impressive five album career. I find her voice to be heavenly. This is not music that will make you want to dance -- this is perfect for drifting into sleep in the darkness. There isn't that much of their stuff on youtube. I tried to get a bit of everything in the videos. Last edited by Consolator; 10-15-2010 at 10:43 PM.

10-15-2010, 11:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra \/ GOD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nowhere... Posts: 2,179	Even if the strangest of circumstances in other threads are what brought this to my attention, I can't say this is bad at all. The thing I do like is that from song to song there's a completely different emotional tone. As for the singer lady's voice, can't say it's bad at all. Kind of exactly what you'd expect from a more underground minimalist group. Which is it's greatest pro, and it's greatest con. A wide variety of instrumental tones, calm mellow textures, very soulful and melodic. Instrumental parts are kept simple as to allow the narrative to be told by the singer's voice which is quite pleasant. However, in that sense, there's not as much that would set this music apart from a lot of the minimalist acts akin to it. Like the 50ish smokey lounge tone to most of it. A few of the songs had their cheesy moments, especially in presentation of vocals(which again aren't bad, but have their kitsch moments, and only small moments, thrown in that distract from the overall feel). However, small gripe in their success of acquiring the rich atmospheric textures they present. Not cream pantsworthy but definitely an enjoyable listen.

10-02-2011, 03:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
paulr Groupie Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: UK Posts: 34	Count me in - I have a couple of their albums, but then Im a sucker for female voices. So sad the Hyperium 'Heavenly Voices' series is over - Hyperium records RIP