The Delfields
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The Delfields

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"The Delfields Blend Together the Past and Present on Ogres"

Even though it is easy to blame limited diversification within a music scene on the specific demographic represented, there is no dismissing the eligibility of stylistic trends and their influence on the individuals who view conformity as merely a customary element of human nature. I find that, on a personal level, my local music scene lacks in quality because of the fact that people around here really have no other choice but to listen to mundane quality if they want to become exposed to their local scene; it is like a domino effect of what is considered “hip”. I hear of these local bands, generically repetitive in appearance and sound, who dismiss even the theoretical basics of melody altogether. It is a classic example of style over substance, where discordant screaming is substituted for melodic singing and an organized structure is obsolete. Sure, even if the screaming and tight jeans somehow represent unified teenage angst, I just can’t see the appeal or the reason for doing so. I suppose that those who find audible discordance to be emotionally representative will become an instant fan of such artists, but the sane others who actually recognize the hard work and dedication that goes into crafting a form of actual quality will quickly realize that locality leaves much to be desired.

One of the reasons that I relate to The Delfields‘ frustration with their local music scene is that I am currently residing about 30 minutes away from their deriving New Brunswick, New Jersey. I have come to known the Jersey suburbs to be a place of repetitiveness and simplicity, aspects that are unfortunately reflective of the hopeful bands residing there. Though the state has seen plenty of influential artists rise into stardom, I have found from first-hand experience that the state has become ridden with emo, screamo, and other genres with no appeal to me whatsoever. Unless one wants to trek into NYC, the lack of a substantial scene can be discouraging, even if such a statement is applicable for most rural settings. With this in mind, when I discover a band of The Delfields’ caliber who are based relatively close to me, I can’t help but feel excited. And let me tell you, before I am accused of posting a band sheerly out of geographical bias, take a listen to this appealing five-piece. With their studied blend of psychedelic rock, surf music, and indie-pop incorporating itself with the group’s melodic prowess, it should be highly evident that I would post this band even if they were from Mars (and enjoyably enough, sometimes they sound like they are).

Wearing their influences on their sleeves, The Delfields declare the genre of indie-pop in their native New Brunswick to be “nonexistent”, a statement that many music fans in the surrounding area (including myself) can wholeheartedly agree with. Consisting of singer/guitarist Joe, lead guitarist Allen Meretsky, keyboardist Michael Vassallo, bassist Ryan Shook, and (twin brother) Kyle Shook on drums, The Delfields seem confident enough to contradict the very definition of “quality music” in their local music circuit. I hope they do it too — maybe it would spread around the state. Though they remain without a label, their sound is reflective of the style that most independent labels seem eager to covet. I could play a guessing game and call them extremely suitable for the charming indie-pop of Sub Pop, but I will let their reps call the shots on that one. Their first means of exposure will be their debut full-length album, Ogres. Consisting of 9 tracks, it was at an all-analog 8-track tape studio in North Brunswick, NJ (Rubberball Productions) with the help of producer Terry Hughes and collaborator Brian Bond. It will be available to purchase on January 25th, both on The Delfields’ MySpace and at their upcoming shows.

Though songs in the vein of “Short Sleeves” and “Francine” explore more ambitious quality that is more demonstrative of overall stylistic eclecticism, there is no denying the admirable accessibility of Ogres‘ opening track, “A Slippery Slope”. I know that such a comparison may sound linear at best, but the vocals of Joe immediately reminded me of The Shins’ James Mercer. He employs a breezy with the simplistic strums of an electric guitar effortlessly churning out a sprightly melody that is accompanied by organ-like keys and spurred percussion. It sounds like a fusion of airy ’60s pop and contemporary indie-pop, with the result being as infectiously irresistible as expected. The self-titled track, “Ogres”, sees the same delivery in equally impressive form, though the wildly impressive chorus relies on a newly implemented collaboration between guitars and lighthearted keys to establish a sound more reminiscent of ’60s pop. Joe’s vocals throughout Ogres constantly reminds the listener of The Delfields’ rooted influences, with his personally being instrumental surf music. “The thick, textured sounds and vibrant melodies always drew me in,” he said. There is always a tinge of psychedelia and surf music in The Delfields’ enjoyable formula, with the heavy bass line in “Honest” and the reverbed twang in “Francine” being just a few of the agreeable examples on the impressive release. It should be accepted to expect plenty of brilliant melodies soaked in reverb on Ogres, though many will be pleased to know that such methods of “outdated” production only come to bolster the output, not weaken it. If these guys do not find themselves on a respectable label by the end of the year, I will be quite surprised. - www.obscuresound.com


"Weekly Earworm - The Delfields"

earworm- (îr'wûrm'): a song or tune that gets stuck in one's mind and repeats as if on a tape; also written ear-worm, ear worm; also called cognitive itch, sticky tune.

Welcome to another weekly feature! With "Earworm" I hope to promote a local band I think should have wider recognition/rock love.

That being said, everyone should give The Delfields a listen, even though their lineup is listed as:

* Caractacus on guitar/vocals
* Almer the Bear on guitar/vocals
* Essence on keys/vocals
* The Dubious Dentist on bass/vocals
* and The Latent Lumberjack on drums

To add to the mysteriousness of this group, they list their musical influences as pink (the color, I presume) and their about section repeats the word OGRES like an all-night movie. Despite the lack of information to be had concerning their origins, The Delfields have a vibe reminiscent of an of Montreal (more The Gay Parade and less of Hissing Fauna...)/The Mountain Goats (circa All Hail West Texas)/Sunny Day Real Estate (Diary, of course) love child... if three bands could reproduce, or if three humans could reproduce in such a way, that is.

Tracks such as "A Slippery Slope Honest Medley" and "Our Beds" have a fun up-tempo sound that perfectly blend acoustic guitars, simple melodic keyboards and complementary laid-back drumming into a cheerful soundtrack for midwinter. (Or as The Delfields say, "music to ride your bike to.")

The band claims per their blog (dated from November) they have finished their first record Ogres with help from New Brunswick multitasking musician Brian Bond. So far it seems as though CD's are unavailable for order, but both The Delfields and Bond are performing at John and Peter's (which is in New Hope, PA, but that's practically in Jersey anyways) on January 25th. Their full show schedules can be found at the links provided. Go to their shows and pester The Delfields to sell you a copy of Ogres!

Happy listening, everybody! - www.newjerseyhipster.com


"The Delfields-Ogres (Independent)"

The Delfields - Ogres (Independent)
From New Jersey, The Delfields refer back to several decades for their indie-pop method. The ‘60s, of course, have provided inspiration for many contemporary bands and The Delfields have taken the wispish qualities of first wave psychedelic pop and have fused it with post-punk tolerance and C86 tunes. The result: Beach Boys bedroom pop - Brian’s hogging the duvet, Mike’s changing his sheets (again) and Dennis has found the matches. Cutting edge it isn’t, though its attractions are many. They know their way around a ramshackle tune, building up the layers like JAMC-lite, and always understating the vocals. It’s lo-fi, but charmingly so. A back to basics recreation of the Elephant 6 blueprint of fuzzy, sonic pop. They’re certainly not concerned about colliding influences. The Central African guitar lines/loops of opening cut “A Slippery Slope” merge effortlessly with a pristine Western melody, and the vocal complexities of “Francine” would seem bereft without the galloping rhythm and pawn shop electronica employed. Too short at 26:26 - a very good start, nonetheless. - www.leicesterbangs.co.uk


"The Delfields-Ogres-Album Review"

Today’s review is a bit of a technicality in terms of actually qualifying as a new release. Personally, I came across the record about a week ago, and the ‘official’ release date is listed as today. On the other hand, the record has been floating around physically for about a year now, and has been available as a download on iTunes since February. Given that it is a self-released endeavor, these situations are not uncommon, and since the mass release is happening now and I like the record I’m going to go ahead and act as if it is spanking new, despite the fact that some folks out there may have already had their hands on it for a little while now. Those three dudes pictured above are responsible for the album that I speak of. I’m not sure which one is which, but collectively they make up the New Jersey indie rock trio The Delfields, and their debut album, Ogres, is kinda-sorta dropping today.

Originally formed back in 2006, he band consists of a former guitar instructor and a pair of brothers; the kind of lineup that indie bands have wet dreams about. Musically the trio is ripe with a host of sonic influences, all of which they wear proudly on their sleeves. The glaring comparison would be to The Shins, though personally I think this is what The Shins would sound like if they had much larger cojones. That said; if you are a Shins fan who is somewhat disgruntled due to their loss of street cred (via Zach Braff), let me introduce you to your new favorite band. If that crude comparison doesn’t strike a chord, a more technical description would include the terms bedroom pop, surf rock, lo-fi, and 60’s sensibility. All of these influences play out on the record through fuzzy guitars that are sometimes crisp and sometimes crunchy, psychedelic synths, and heavy doses of snare drums and cymbals.


Album opener “Slippery Slope” kicks things off with tones of psychedelica and a haunting vocal, followed by “Honest,” bringing more of the same while kicking up the surf influence by a few notches. Together they represent a solid opening pair of tracks that sets the mood for things to come. “Francine” ushers in a dose of synthesizer, providing a soaring atmospheric backdrop offsetting some more aggressive percussion work. “Short Sleeves” maintains a similar vibe from the synths, but here you find the hazy guitar giving way to a somewhat cleaner tone and the vocals dropping a few octaves, shifting from near falsetto to a somber growl. Title track “Ogres” kicks in strong, boasting an opening riff that brings to mind early Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Darker hooks give way to an uplifting, dreamy chorus, providing a sweet juxtaposition of sound and resulting in one of the albums cornerstone pop gems.

The next two tracks, “Solvents and Bedrooms” and “Our Beds,” pair together perfectly, both exhibiting the strongest examples of The Shins influence that I mentioned earlier. “Solvents” brings a hint of twang into the mix and a mellow eeriness to the vocal, which is bolstered nicely by some nifty whistling. “Our Beds” sounds as though it could have been included on Oh, Inverted World without anyone betting an eye, and if it was it would probably be my favorite track on the album. “Fawn Fight” finds the band at their most raucous. It is a true freak-out track, with guitars, drums, and keys blasting simultaneously at a blistering pace. If there is a proper time to dance while listening to this record it would be during this song. Closer “Highlands” is nearly the polar opposite to “Fawn Fight” on this record, sitting alone as the only true semi-ballad on Ogres. Showing a more sensitive side of the band’s sound, it is a contemplative slow burner that is both tender and warm, coming in with soft guitar and fading out to lush orchestral experimentation.

From beginning to end, Ogres is a tight, focused, and cohesive record. Though it is merely the band’s debut effort, the fact that they spent three years crafting it is evident in its execution. Consisting of nine tracks and clocking in at a mere 26 minutes, it makes for an enjoyable listen and chugs along nicely with no sign of unnecessary filler. Based on this album, I have no doubt that The Delfields will be on a lot of peoples’ radar moving forward. But don’t take my word for it, have a listen to two tracks from Ogres below and hear it for yourself. - www.citizendick.org


"Ear Candy-The Delfields Ogres (Self Released)"

Ogres is an album of dualities. In almost every track there's a dichotomy of some sort, two seemingly opposite musical elements brought together to create a singularly strange and beautiful example of indie music. The integration of both classic rock instruments and synthesized notes come together in tracks with a range of tempo and emotion. Vocals are eerie and then uplifting. It is a cohesive collection of stories. Perhaps the greatest duality: it is eclectic and abstract while still totally tangible. Proving that this genre is alive and evolving. - Real Detroit Weekly


Discography

Ogres 2008

Photos

Bio

The Delfields are an indie pop band located in New Brunswick, NJ, where the genre is virtually non-existent. Driven by a constant focus on melody and texture, the band creates an ethereal and hazy pop wall of sound. The tight rhythm section sometimes doubles as a melodic counterpoint for calculated guitars and keyboards. The instrumentals set the perfect stage for soaring melodies comprised of tapestries of abstract yet vivid lyrics.

What people have been saying about The Delfields:

"With their studied blend of psychedelic rock, surf music, and indie-pop incorporating itself with the group’s melodic prowess...It should be accepted to expect plenty of brilliant melodies soaked in reverb on Ogres....If these guys do not find themselves on a respectable label by the end of the year, I will be quite surprised."-ObscureSound.com

"Tracks such as 'A Slippery Slope Honest Medley' and 'Our Beds' have a fun up-tempo sound that perfectly blend acoustic guitars, simple melodic keyboards and complementary laid-back drumming into a cheerful soundtrack for midwinter."-NewJerseyHipster.com