My FasterLouder review - 29/5/10- reworked.
Unfortunately for The Crayon Fields, their supporting acts outshone their own performance at Oxford Art Factory last week.
Step-Panther started off the night with their 60s surf-pop set list. Getting the keen arrivals bopping and dancing away, they also managed to work the audience with their charismatic banter.
Making way for Parades, the presence on the stage amplified. Starting off with Marigold, the lead female singer showcased her superior vocal ability of control and release. Leading into a two minute instrumental, the climax was thickened with additional drums and double layering of electric guitar chords. They catered to every element needed in making a live performance successful.
Hunter was another highlight, bringing the audience into a musical soundscape. Live, they executed the contrasts of their music; with a heavy drop into richly textured musical layers, to delicate ghostly vocals accompanied by minimal percussion. The level of intensity of this 50-minute set was mind-blowing.
With the room now packed with people, it was time for The Crayon Fields. Would It Be So Strange? demonstrated their skill with smooth dynamic control, whilst Mirror Ball saw the live execution of those brilliant subtleties of their music. However, there was something lacking in their performance from the beginning - it was energy. Playing straight after Parades also didn’t help.
A little awkward on stage with minimal stage banter, they jumped right into So Much Time. The crowd began to lose interest as the sound of chatting grew louder and louder. However, their rendition of Timeless brought back audience interest, thanks to the beachy harmonies and a chorus that takes you back to when 60s pop reigned American high-school proms.
The show ended with an average performance of All the Pleasures of the World. Compared to the well produced CD track, the audience lost the aural experience of a few important musical ingredients. Firstly, their signature sound of woodblocks failed to appear in this final song. Secondly, the lead singer had trouble reaching a smooth falsetto, losing control over the higher notes.
Returning to the stage for an encore they played a new song, She’s My Hero, ending on a good note for fans.
2 1/2 stars out of 5
For the more lengthy FasterLouder article head to: http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/23987/The-Crayon-Fields-.htm
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