Remember Dan Fielding on Night Court? This isn't him.
The Militia Group touts Fielding, and their self-titled debut, as honest, all-American rock music. And amazingly, I am for the first time in agreement with a band's bio. If you're on the search for the next big thing, for all the glitz and glamour and non-musical accoutrements that accompany most rock music, you will be sadly disappointed by what Fielding has to offer. Fielding is not the next big thing, and from all appearances, they have no interesting in being as such. Instead they are content to craft enjoyable indie pop songs with textures and layers of guitars and piano and strings and constant harmonies (the latter courtesy of one Beth B.).
However, not all of the album's ten tracks are flawless. Some songs have their moments of triteness (the childlike opening melody of "Legless" brings my finger dangerously close to the "Next track" button on my CD player), and others draw a bit too near the made-for-radio sounds of Maroon 5 ("Cuban Eyes," "OK, Alright"). Fortunately for us all, they never take that final step, but there is always the fear that it could head that direction at the turn of the next chorus.
Fielding do present some excellent songs on their debut, and the album feels immediately sincere and inviting, like a new acquaintance with whom you feel inexplicably comfortable. Hopefully this album is only a glimpse of what the band his in store for us in the future.
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