Fields Of Happy is one very unusual album, describing it as quirky doesn’t cover half of it,  down right bizarre probably sums it up more clearly. The album cover alone is enough to give people of a more sensitive nature nightmares with the image conjuring thoughts of arch horror icon Chucky, and then there's the music itself...

“Da Devil's Bawlz” kicks things. Faced paced and punky in style the song utilizes almost hardcore vocals giving  a false impression as to what the rest of the album may sound like as, on the whole, this is a very “clean” platter vocally. This is followed by  “We've Got A Situation Here” which will frighten the neighbours if played loud enough as an air raid siren blasts out before some electronica and strange effects take over. A unusual number this, at times it could be an 80’s take on new romantic metal mixed with some classic Faith No More, very interesting indeed.  “Cold And Twitchy” on the other hand has a pretty funky rock beat that nods its head to System Of A Down in the faster sections coupled with lots of bursts of staccato singing and guitar work that works very well.  The funk metal leaning return with Favourite Fiend which is reminiscent of early Chillies for the first part and is certainly one of the highlights.

Now we are heading into weirder territory though. “Pussy Teeth” starts harshly and retains a very strange vibe throughout. “Dr Ripper, OBGYN” brings back an element of the funky sound but has a darker and meaner undercurrent with vocal nods to Nick Cave besides which  “To Much To Share” sounds almost tame, dare I say it  normal in comparison and steps again into Faith No More territory. After the short acoustic interlude that is Knuckle's Sandwich the band delve back into harsher realms with Rainy Day Funbook which is all menacing vocals and stabbing riffs, there's even an elements of reggae evident which pretty much sums up the very varied influences on the album. The FNM vibe continues through “Party Weapon” whereas “Eat Out Of My Butt” drifts off heavily into surreal again, a very strange butt eating rock ’n’ roll song that will delight teenagers and make parents despair. After the more normal leanings of  Language Of The Knife” and “Get Up & Go!” which at times is reminiscent of John Bush era Anthrax thing once more veer off into bizarre land with “Find The Prostate” that has as much chance of radio play as this reviewer  winning the pole vault at the Beijing Olympics. I am sure there will be some that like it and have to play it at full blast and enjoy hearing about prostrate fiddling.  Lastly (sort of) there is “Papa Didn't Expect Supper” which is laden with lots of electronica effects though with a fair few nods to the Chillies and Faith No More again. If you happen to leave the CD running for a while though there is two hidden tracks, one which is yet more general daftness and another almost sort of proper song. 

Fields Of Happy is one of those albums that, even after a few listens, is very difficult to judge and causes much head scratching. Some of the many varieties and spices in evidence here work, some most definitely don't. The first half  is stronger musically and the second half a bit more bonkers. Did I like it though, well I think I did and I think fans of early Chillies, Faith No More and System Of A Down might well agree though they are sufficiently different to plough their own musical furrow.

Mike Clark