Review from Lucid Forge (Canada) by Phillippa Scowcroft 5.25.07

This album took me by complete surprise. Normally, I'm not into New Age-y instrumental stuff, but I really like Fields of Forel's self-titled release. Apparently, their name refers to a "receptive subconscious area of the brain," so maybe my appreciation for this album is the result of subliminal messaging. I did feel like I should be in the presence of my massage therapist at times; the incorporation of  rain, birds, slow, repetitive guitar and some whooshing, spaceship-like sounds could have pushed Fields of Forel over the edge, from chill to cheesy — but somehow Aurelio Laing III, Enrique Palacios and Nathan Slimane make it work. I'm not sure this is the kind of album that could quickly become a favourite, nor will it be something that anyone but alternative-healing practitioners will listen to religiously. I do think Forel's sound will fit perfectly with the right mood, though, or maybe help you settle into that mood; the verdict's still out as to whether we fit our music to ourselves, or vice versa. Usually these albums where one song drifts into another bother me; call me old-fashioned, but I like a song that's got a distinct start and finish. But as with other things I usually dislike about this sort of album, Fields of Forel convinced me to look beyond the melting of one track into another. Instead, I'm left loving the intermingling of wind chimes, piano, and the sound of children playing. Their publicist calls them an Ambient/New Age indie band — I would have dismissed the indie bit until I heard a hint of Broken Social Scene in the sixth track. Give Fields of Forel a listen; you may never know it, but the subconscious areas of your brain will thank you.     