Old Fears
Reviews
Francis D
Reviewed 2014-05-31
Reviewed 2014-05-31
“Old Fears” School of Language
With brother, Peter, David Brewis heads the post-punk U.K. band, Field Music. David also does side solo projects under the School of Language moniker and “Old Fears” is his second solo release — six years after his debut. This album sees David moving boldly into sparse, synth-driven rhythms and melodies that take 80s funk and R&B and update it for 2014. The result has pleased both fans and critics alike. Excellent stuff!
— Francis
Recommended: 1, 6, 4, 3, 10. No FCCs.
1. (3:10) Distance Between – Halting, syncopated beat and synth bass line — with confident, yet spare vocals that are reminiscent of David Byrne at his funkiest. ****
2. (3:49) A Smile Cracks – Snapping snare drum and sharp guitar stingers over a strutting beat. Classic ‘80s R&B guitar riffs in the lead breaks.
3. (3:37) Suits Us Better – Cool, laid-back rhythm set up by scat singing — true! — with Brewis’ falsetto tripping lightly above. Glistening synths and jangly guitar add just the right touch. **
4. (2:56) Between the Suburbs – Jittery synth and out-of-step rhythm with Talking Heads-like vocals, including nice, layered harmonies in the chorus. ***
5. (2:32) Old Fears – Instrumental. Synth that sounds like an electronic tuba, with fragile, bell-like notes over. (False ending at 1:50. After 3 seconds, resolving synths chords are added until the end.)
6. (3:11) Dress Up – Playful, intertwined synth and guitar melody and rhythm — with early 1980s R&B-type vocals. ***
7. (3:06) Moment of Doubt – Slow siren of backing vocals under reverbed lead vocals. Easygoing rhythm and guitar added as vocals dissolve away.
8. (3:26) Small Words – Lighter, almost jazzy feel — still with a funky beat and swerving vocals.
9. (3:27) So Much Time – Talking Heads influence again. Rhythm track that allows plenty of space for vocals that rise and fall — with bell-like synths and guitar accents.
10. (5:22) You Kept Yourself – Sprawling, ambient soundscape overlaid with Brewis’ soulful vocals. Gerry Rafferty “Baker Street” type saxophone mixed into the play-out at the end. **
With brother, Peter, David Brewis heads the post-punk U.K. band, Field Music. David also does side solo projects under the School of Language moniker and “Old Fears” is his second solo release — six years after his debut. This album sees David moving boldly into sparse, synth-driven rhythms and melodies that take 80s funk and R&B and update it for 2014. The result has pleased both fans and critics alike. Excellent stuff!
— Francis
Recommended: 1, 6, 4, 3, 10. No FCCs.
1. (3:10) Distance Between – Halting, syncopated beat and synth bass line — with confident, yet spare vocals that are reminiscent of David Byrne at his funkiest. ****
2. (3:49) A Smile Cracks – Snapping snare drum and sharp guitar stingers over a strutting beat. Classic ‘80s R&B guitar riffs in the lead breaks.
3. (3:37) Suits Us Better – Cool, laid-back rhythm set up by scat singing — true! — with Brewis’ falsetto tripping lightly above. Glistening synths and jangly guitar add just the right touch. **
4. (2:56) Between the Suburbs – Jittery synth and out-of-step rhythm with Talking Heads-like vocals, including nice, layered harmonies in the chorus. ***
5. (2:32) Old Fears – Instrumental. Synth that sounds like an electronic tuba, with fragile, bell-like notes over. (False ending at 1:50. After 3 seconds, resolving synths chords are added until the end.)
6. (3:11) Dress Up – Playful, intertwined synth and guitar melody and rhythm — with early 1980s R&B-type vocals. ***
7. (3:06) Moment of Doubt – Slow siren of backing vocals under reverbed lead vocals. Easygoing rhythm and guitar added as vocals dissolve away.
8. (3:26) Small Words – Lighter, almost jazzy feel — still with a funky beat and swerving vocals.
9. (3:27) So Much Time – Talking Heads influence again. Rhythm track that allows plenty of space for vocals that rise and fall — with bell-like synths and guitar accents.
10. (5:22) You Kept Yourself – Sprawling, ambient soundscape overlaid with Brewis’ soulful vocals. Gerry Rafferty “Baker Street” type saxophone mixed into the play-out at the end. **
Recent airplay
Distance Between
Time Traveler — Aug 01, 2014
Dress Up
Box of Chocolates — Jul 26, 2014
Dress Up
Time Traveler — Jul 25, 2014
You Kept Yourself
Box of Chocolates — Jul 19, 2014
You Kept Yourself
Time Traveler — Jul 18, 2014
Distance Between
Octagonal Banana — Jul 11, 2014
Charting
2014-06-06 — 2014-08-08
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Aug 3 | 1 |
| Jul 27 | 2 |
| Jul 20 | 2 |
| Jul 13 | 2 |
| Jul 6 | 3 |
| Jun 29 | 1 |
| Jun 22 | 3 |
| Jun 15 | 3 |
Track listing
| 1. | Distance Between | ||
| 2. | A Smile Cracks | ||
| 3. | Suits Us Better | ||
| 4. | Between The Suburbs | ||
| 5. | Old Fears | ||
| 6. | Dress Up | ||
| 7. | Moment Of Doubt | ||
| 8. | Small Words | ||
| 9. | So Much Time | ||
| 10. | You Kept Yourself |