Nashville – A sophomore record two years in the making, Field Report’s Marigolden brings the listener along for the long and winding journey that make up the songs for this album. Field Report, an anagram of singer Chris Porterfield’s surname, holed up in a snowy cabin in Ontario last December to record. Heated by a wood stove and secluded by the heavy winter snow, the quartet cut 10 dynamic songs that catalog the two years since their debut album and the highs and lows that followed.
(Ed., If you’re not familiar with Porterfield’s resume, check out our Featured Artist profile and Interview)
Marigolden opens with “Decision Day,” a fingerpicked acoustic number with a vibe that conjures up vivid pictures of dirt country roads and peaceful mountain scenes in the mind. It is the first of many tracks that make reference to Porterfield’s battle with the bottle, and the toll alcohol has taken on his life. “Home (Leave the Lights On),” the poppy second track, is the album’s first radio single. Stating “Leave the lights on, ‘cause it might be nighttime when I get there,” the song speaks to the long stretches of time Field Report has spent crisscrossing the country for the last two years. The powerful imagery of homesickness is punctuated by Porterfield’s mellow tone and an electronic backbeat that epitomizes the passing time.
“Pale Rider” is an open entry about Porterfield’s sobriety. It comes across as both a journal entry and an apology note reflecting on the people he’s hurt and asking for their forgiveness. A ballad with a “Streets of Philadelphia” vibe, it’s fading vocals and heavy subject matter creates a very haunting effect. Similarly dealing with the weighty issue of alcohol abuse are “Summons,” which plays out as more of a dedication to sobriety, and “Enchantment,” which also paints a vivid picture of the American west. The piano ballad “Ambrosia” lays down a Jackson Browne feel with some vibes reminiscent of “Whiter Shade of Pale” thrown in. “Cups and Cups” is a pop song that builds and builds, with bass, drums and keys leaching in as the song grows, expanding the stylistic repertoire of the album.
One of the key aspects of this album is the ability of Porterfield to connect the listener to the characters in his songs. From the Sheriff’s son in “Ambrosia” to Jane in the album’s title track, to the muse behind the song “Michelle,” Porterfield uses his lyrics to paint the emotional connection between himself and the entity.
The album itself hinges on its stripped-down sound. The simplicity of recording in a secluded Canadian cabin bleeds through the tracks. Additionally, the rustic conditions of the recording atmosphere were matched in the instrumentation. The sound is raw and informal. Instrumentation and tracking is kept to a minimum, and it works well to preserve the wholeness and roots of each song.
Field Report is hitting the road to promote the album. They will be on tour throughout October and November. Marigolden is out on October 7 via Partisan Records. Field Report is also streaming the album for a limited time.
Kevin Ott
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