Review: Deepfield – ‘Limited Release EP’

Posted: September 22nd, 2009
Contributed By: Nick

	Purchase Release Date: September 1, 2009 via Skiddco Music
	deepfield is: Baxter Teal (Vocals / Guitar) Jody King (Guitar) PJ Farley (Bass) Aron Robinson (Drums)

Overview: Charleston, South Carolina born and bred, Deepfield touched down in 2007 with their debut LP ‘Archetypes & Repetition’. The record served as the pilot release of In De Goot Records, an imprint formed by the famed management company. Despite a positive buzz, the experiment didn’t quite work out. However Deepfield soldiered on, replacing departed members Russell Lee and Dawson Huss with drummer Aron Robinson and bassist PJ Farley respectively. Producer Skidd Mills (Saving Abel, 12 Stones), whose services were enlisted for ‘Archetypes & Repetition’ welcomed Deepfield as the fourth addition to his Skiddco Music roster that includes Saving Abel, Absence of Concern, and Tetanus. While Deepfield is currently finalizing their sophomore effort tentatively called ‘Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’, the band has offered up a six song appetizer simply titled ‘Limited Release EP’.

The Good: Deepfield start swimming in the muddy waters of the down-tuned “Give Until It Hurts”, lined with synthetic claps on beats 2 and 4 of each measure that add an eclectic touch. A booming chorus doesn’t trample the song’s pop sensibilities, aided by “quick” dynamics and a bridge that’s nothing short of a riffgasm. “Nothing Left to Lose” thrives on a thick, retro sound with flashes of arena tendencies. The cut’s absolutely huge chorus is bolstered by its sunny bridge, which incorporates the main riff seamlessly. Sultry and impassioned, “These Words” is anchored by a cushiony low-end for added striking power. The chorus of “These Words” is easy, breezy, and full of glistening melody, all of which are embellished by virtuous symphonic builds. “These Words” changes key for the finale, a dynamic and sage move that sounds incredibly clutch. “American Dream” is a hustling and shuffling tongue-in-cheek anthem for the cynics. The slight harmonics that resolve verse two’s riffs are craftily injected into the melee, only to be outshined by the spoons being played for a handful of bars; it’s been awhile since we’ve brought back the spoons, I like that. “American Dream” fades off with an outro with bloodlines in Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”, offering a cool reminder of a cool tune. “So Far Away” is revved up yet delicate at the same time, nurtured by the resonant, acoustic strums and a kaleidoscope-like chorus. Baxter Teal reaches up high, hitting notes of a higher register with perfect precision, while the slight reverb that dangles above “So Far Away” makes the song even more voluminous. Deepfield shut the EP down with the firepower of “Shiner”. Blistering and assertive, “Shiner” is a nuke with a central riff that is freakin’ FILTHY. The pronounced bass grumbles in its verses fill the gaps but maintain the pocket beautifully. Teal’s demanding lyrics match the tune’s scathing persona, which travels through a bridge tickled by prog-rock for added breadth.

The Bad: The vocals on “Nothing Left to Lose” seem to sit too prominently in the mix, and at times “Nothing Left to Lose” sounds overly chopped up and pieced together. “American Dream” is a cool tune but doesn’t it sound incredibly close to something you’d hear on Theory of a Deadman’s self-titled album?

Bottomline: I have to give major props to Deepfield for their work on this EP. For the first time in quite awhile, I got genuinely excited and pumped up while listening to a rock album released this year. The band’s growth from ‘Archetypes & Repetition’ to now is uncanny; if you want to invest in a rock group geared toward bigger and better things, I’d say throw all your chips in for Deepfield.

Rating: 9 out of 10