Blackfield - Blackfield Live In New York City [Album]
 

Before we go any further I have to tell you that we are dealing here with a band who actually rhyme 'high' with 'sky' in one of their songs. Still reading? Well, okay then. B lackfield are primarily Stephen Wilson and Aviv Geffen, who happen to be two of the most complete charisma voids I've ever had to listen to.

Seriously, this is like two of the least interesting people you could imagine learning musical instruments (proficiently, it has to be said) and then singing their twelve year old brother's English Literature homework over the top. Searingly clichéd and guileless it makes you squirm in your seat as you try and take your mind off the lyrics and focus on the music. Problem is, the tunes are lifeless and bland too so there isn't much in the way of respite there.

Opener 'Once' isn't actually that bad with a long tribal drum style intro and a decent guitar hook but Blackfield look like they know it's a highlight and pull it out again for the encore. Bonkers.

You know who's going to like this? People who still hold a candle for Savage Garden and dread-locked, female, Italian sociology students. Everyone else is going to listen to something like 'The Hole In Me' or 'Pain' (sample lyric: 'While I'm melting in rain / deep in pain / she is so far) and hope to God the music industry finds some way of imploding in on itself even faster than it already is.

There are two very good things about this album but neither one has anything to do with song writing. Firstly, the recording is excellent. They have managed to maintain a live sound but the clarity on display is still quite brilliant. Second is the packaging. Thick card bindings house the audio CD and DVD with a nice little booklet in the middle with some glossy pictures to wonder over. Like, I wonder how this lot ever got a gig at the Bowery? Arf.

The DVD is a nice touch, by the way. I'll be frank, I couldn't put myself through watching the whole thing but there are the usual kind of bonus bits on it and if (for the love of God!) you are a fan of Blackfield then you've been well looked after here.

It gives me as little pleasure slating a band this hard as it does in listening to them in the first place but there you have it; Blackfield make dull insipid music and this is a live recording of that.

Re: Blackfield - Blackfield Live In New York City [Album]
 

Sweet review Chris. It's a shame this was so bad because the packaging was some of the best I have seen in ages, K-Scope go all out on that front.

Re: Blackfield - Blackfield Live In New York City [Album]
 

Good packaging despite the poor cover?

Yeah man it was like half CD half book all rounded corners and outer
cardboard sleeve too. Proper top dollar stuff, granted the front cover
could have been better.

On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 8:54 PM, Heron <> wrote:




--
I am a Welsh Record Producer, Graphic and Web Designer, Film Maker,
Photographer, Artist and Writer. Oh! I also own and run Altsounds.com

[MY PORTFOLIO AND TO HIRE ME]
http://www.screamadelica.co.uk

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Re: Blackfield - Blackfield Live In New York City [Album]
 

Sounds very nice - I will forgive them their cover then.

Re: Blackfield - Blackfield Live In New York City [Album]
 

It really is well presented. There seem to be quite a few avid fans of these guys as well but I just don't find much to like in this sort of music.

Re: Blackfield - Blackfield Live In New York City [Album]
 

Agreed, K-scope have some good CD covers. Steven Wilson's stuff is well presented.

Re: Blackfield - Blackfield Live In New York City [Album]
 

What a truly awful review that gives the completely wrong idea to people about this DVD.

Firstly it's extremely hard to slate Steven Wilsons work both here and Porcupine Tree. Some of the music he's written is absolutely amazing and often sounds like a modern day Pink Floyd (if the reviewer doesnt like Pink Floyd then that would sum him up really).

The songs are very much a more melodic version of Porcupine Tree songs and melodic and slower does not make a band boring by any means. While they might not be the greatest lyrics ever written, they are far far far from being bad.

The musical talents of both Wilson and the rest of the band are very good, the drummer especially is a pleasure to watch.

How you can compare this band to savage garden I do not know. They bare no resemblance and fans of one may not like the other. Also you seem to suggest that people only listen to one genre of music, something that is perhaps the cause behind your misguided review. A more open mind would let you appreciate more than just one genre of music.

I never have a problem with people disliking a band or style of music but to slate a band like this having admitted you didnt even listen to it all, shows how silly this review is. It seems like you are the kind of person who will listen to an album once briefly, skipping through parts and never listen again. You cant judge a band on such a poor effort to listen to them.

fail

Re: Blackfield - Blackfield Live In New York City [Album]
 

And why would that sum him up?