This moment has been a long time coming for local indie rockers Lightfields, but based on the results, it was worth the wait. Digitally releasing their debut full-length, Junior, today on Bandcamp, the band is also gearing up for a CD release show taking place this Friday at the Broadberry, during which physical copies of the album will be made available.
This moment has been a long time coming for local indie rockers Lightfields, but based on the results, it was worth the wait. Digitally releasing their debut full-length, Junior, today on Bandcamp, the band is also gearing up for a CD release show taking place this Friday at the Broadberry, during which physical copies of the album will be made available.
A few months ago, we shared the album’s title track and opening cut with you. As it turns out, that song constitutes a pretty good idea of what Junior as a whole sounds like–ringing guitars, driving rhythms, and arena-ready multi-vocal chorus singalongs. Tunes like “Heart Attack Heather,” “Mockingbird,” and “Better”–which features the brief return of former saxophone player Ganesh Sarma–keep the album moving along at an upbeat pace. And when they do slow things down on album centerpiece “Backseat,” there’s a sense of dramatic purpose that helps make this track–a duet between Lightfields’ Coldon Martin and guest vocalist Tiffany Meehan–one of the album’s standouts. Swirling shortwave radio static echoes through the song’s instrumental moments, and the assistance on arrangement and bowed bass from Goldrush’s Matt Gold helps add depth and resonance.
At the halfway point of 2014, in fact, Junior as a whole looks like one of the better local releases we’ll hear this year; all the more reason for you to stream it below.
Junior can be purchased digitally as a name-your-price download from Lightfields’ Bandcamp site, but for physical copies, you have to wait until Friday, when Lightfields will play a CD release party at The Broadberry (2729 W. Broad St), presented by Radio Rubber Room. The show will feature opening sets by Toxic Moxie, who just released a new EP of their own, and 6TA (aka 6 Track Amateur), RVA’s leading theatrical comedy pop-punk band. It all kicks off at 8 PM on Friday, June 13 at The Broadberry; admission is $10, and bring some more cash to pick up a copy of Junior as well! For more info, click here.
