CD Review: ‘Hello New World’ by The Playing Fields
Reviewer: Stuart Williams

Release date 26th February 2007


Enfield five-some, The Playing Fields, claim to have created a new genre: Urban Desert.

The band’s sound is a kind of avant-garde psychedelic rock; what might happen if Lou Reed and H. P. Lovecraft met in a pub one dark and gloomy night and decided to form a band inspired by Country Joe and the Fish.

It's folky, jazzy, grungey and creative; but I’m not so sure it’s a new genre but either way, The Playing Fields have certainly created an interesting debut album.

The distorted guitar riff intro of track one, Nonesuch Nameless, reminds me of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Born on the Bayou - but that’s where the similarity ends. The rest of the track is distinctly grungey, like something from Nirvana; complete with dark, poetic lyrics about the bleakness of everyday life.

Sylvia Thompson and The Girl in the Machine, tracks two and three respectively, are both quite folky; both with plenty of jazzy acoustic guitar strumming – and more unsettling, world-wise lyrics.

Drawings, is a real high point: thanks to a slow-building bassline, joined by drums, guitars, and moody, slurred vocals. It all builds in intensity until it reaches a musical climax - sure to be a real crowd pleaser, with great atmosphere and attitude; here The Playing Fields remind me of The Who. This track should be great to see played live.

Another stand out track is Protect the Humans: pure rock with a full-on psychedelic edge.

Track five, Valley of Salt, was featured on BBC TV’s show, Hustle; for some reason it reminds me of A-ha - while other tracks remind me of The Cult or even Lou Reed.

Is this the dawn of Urban Desert? Who knows?

Is this an album worth checking out? Certainly

‘Hello New World’ is an album full of musical surprises and packed with some of the most hauntingly-poetic lyrics ever to grace a debut album.
The Playing Fields' debut album, Hello New World, is out now on the Cactished label.

You can visit the band, buy the album and check their gig dates at

www.myspace.com/theplayingfields