Artist: Coolfield
Album: The Minimalist
Label: None (released independently)
Release Date: August 1, 2008
Review by: Eric Pettersson
Tracklist:
1. Wake up the Sun
2. Chestnut Tree
3. Time Passes By
4. My Fair Lady
5. Surrender (I’m Tryin’, I’m Dyin’)
6. Melody Won’t Do
7. HopeYadFun (Sarah’s Song) [demo]
As someone who has followed Coolfield from the original release of Sincerity in 2005, I have to say I am very impressed with the growth shown on this release. What used to be simple man-and-acoustic-guitar songs with simple lyrics have grown to include drums, some electronic sounds (“Time Passes By”), and more. The melodies have shaped into some really catchy and heartfelt stuff, which for me is especially evident in the addition of a female backing vocal on “Chestnut Tree.” I’m not sure why, but it just makes the song. It’s great, and would appeal well to fans of Jack Johnson, among others. The substance is also there lyrically, like on “Surrender,” which looks to God for meaning in a time of emptiness, or on “My Fair Lady,” which says goodbye and pays tribute to someone who has gone home to Heaven. For those who enjoy catchy neo-singer-songwriter indie pop folk with electronic influences (I’ll include as many genres as possible to make me and Coolfield both sound more hip), The Minimalist is an EP to check out. Or, more easily put, I recommend you listen to this if you already listen to dudes like Jack Johnson, Denison Witmer, The Apathy Eulogy, or even if you would appreciate acoustic versions of The Rocket Summer, Relient K, or Jack’s Mannequin.
8/10
