Elysian Fields - Queen of the Meadows
(Jetset)
Jennifer Charles and Oren Bloedow are the creators of
Elysian Fields, and on Queen of the Meadows, their
second album, the combination of Charles' voice and
Bloedow's silvery guitars is captivating. Charles'
voice is often breathy and seductive but is a
powerful presence. Her background as a performer
(actress, model, piano bar singer) is evident in her
dramatic, seductive style which fits the music well
but could come off as a little melodramatic for some
people. Bloedow's interest in several musical styles,
especially jazz (he formerly played with the Lounge
Lizards), is obvious and much needed on this album.
With its themes of death, darkness, and the more scary
elements of nature, Queen of the Meadows explores a
gloomier side of life and love with vivid lyrics sung
to silky, mysterious music. Each song is a little like
a story that tells of night, whirlwinds, webs,
undertows, or open graves. One of the most story-like
of these songs is "Rope of Weeds," which Charles sings
in her ultra-sultry voice. It begins, "Night cracked
like a skull/ made the moon convulse/ wrapped its
chilly tongue around my mast" and goes on to tell a
strange story of death at sea. It is accompanied by a
tremulous guitar and a jazzy upright bass, vintage
organ, and slow drums.
Throughout the Queen of the Meadows, there are many
elements of jazz, especially the upright bass, but some
songs are more straightforward rock played with
electric or acoustic guitar, bass, and drums, and
these often have a quicker tempo and fuller sound. The
music in other songs is more atmospheric. Other
instruments contributing to Queen of the Meadows'
moods are piano, violins, cello, and organs. The
guitars could easily be the most alluring thing about
this album because they are so dynamic in mood, tempo,
and style. On "Bend Your Mind," they are electric and
harsh; on "Hearts Are Open Graves," the electric
guitar's clear notes slide in at the most appropriate
moments. On "Black Acres" and "Barely Recognize You,"
the trilling and finger-picked acoustic guitar sounds
almost classical.
You may or may not find Queen of the Meadows as
intriguing as I do. However, it took me several
listens to feel this way. The best thing for me about
the album is that Elysian Fields has managed to put
eleven songs on their CD that, while maintaining a
deliciously creepy feel, are interesting and different
enough from each other that they don't blend into an
hour-long funeral dirge.
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