Violence in the Snowy Fields

Dolorean | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• ASIN: B0002Y4SX4
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #207,866 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Sounding like a cross between timeless murder ballads and the crisply emotive chamber folk of Nick Drake, Dolorean's third album finds them deepening their subtle resolve. Built around the songs and singing of guitarist Al James, this Portland, Oregon quartet are no mere songwriter's showcase. They are the sound of a true band, a fact which can be witnessed by the continually evolving interplay amongst the sympathetically matched players. The songs offer orchestral details which are sometimes actual, as in "Dying in Time," but are also written into the fabric of the songs. Their sturdy chord structures and slowly revealed melodies are full of subtle tensions throughout. Beautiful on the surface, these songs are broader and deeper than many of the Americana contemporaries they're often erroneously pigeonholed with. --David Greenberger

Magnet

As seductive as a car commercial. Take this Dolorean for a spin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing combination of lyrics, folk, country and rock, October 26, 2004

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Violence in the Snowy Fields (Audio CD)

The opening track of this Oregon band's third CD is one of the most mesmerizing country-folk-rock tunes to come around in quite awhile. The loping two-step tempo is layered with hints of psychedelia in the fuzzed guitar and drifting piano lines, and the bunched male vocals bring to mind the harmonies of The Band and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. A similar groove is captured on the title track as well, but the rest of the album has other styles on its mind.

At the band's core are Alex James' wordy folk songs and quietly rendered vocals; think Nick Drake, Elliot Smith, and the introspective desolation of Leonard Cohen. Strummed and finger-picked guitars are often balanced by strings, keyboards, vibraphone, and brushed drums that provide moodily shifting underpinnings. The most startling tracks feature vocals backed starkly by acoustic guitar and light touches of violin or keyboard, including the weary goodbye "My Grey Life (Second Chances)," dreamlike salvation of "Put You to Sleep," and autumnally Alex Chilton-esque "In the Fall." Drummer Ben Nugent brings a few tracks to a rolling boil, including "The Righteous Shall Destroy the Precious."

Like many in the quiet-is-the-new-loud vein, Dolorean won't jump out and grab your ears with catchy riffs or startling dynamics. It's the depth of James' lyrics, and the heart and subtlety with which they're rendered that stand up to repeated listenings and yield evolving appreciation. Play this for yourself, on headphones or on a long drive along a lonely road and its charms will reveal themselves.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice follow-up to a 5 star album..., January 22, 2005

By 

V. Veltre (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Violence in the Snowy Fields (Audio CD)

Being a big fan of Dolorean, my expectations were set high for their newest release "Violence in the Snowy Fields." 'Violence' proved to be a very nice record, mixing remnants of their previous "Not Exotic" with some new sounds. This album overall is more produced and lacks the "rawness" that attracted me so much to "Not Exotic." Singer/songwriter Al James does continue to do a great job at tugging at the heartstrings of the listener providing us with tracks like "Dying In Time" and "My Grey Life (Second Chances)." The CD is quite catchy and did grow on me after several listens.

4.0 out of 5 stars This is good but..., October 14, 2008

By 

dnote "Amazon's breaking my bank" (fl) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Violence in the Snowy Fields (MP3 Download)

...it's not nearly as good as Not Exotic. If you are new to Dolorean I highly recommend Not Exotic to start out, and then work your way to this album and the newer release You Can't Win.