Animal Bells sounds to these ears like Love's "Forever Changes" or The Beach Boys "Smiley Smile" album re-recorded as Q U I E T L Y as possible for fear of being caught in the act. It's similar to the sound The Shins hit upon on their magnificent 'City Slang' single but taken all the way to the end of the line: that aenimic sound of music trying to NOT vanish into thin air despite itself. Blame Beat Happening's classic debut: all drowned in echo and reverb and as skeletal as music can get. Damn you Calvin Johnson, you have another bastard child out there making beautiful music...

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Geoff O’Connor, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of Melbourne quartet the Crayon Fields, is a myopic boy genius whose record collection consists almost solely of op-shop vinyl LPs released before 1970. Consequently, the Crayon Fields play intricate, atmospheric pop songs that recall the minor key majesty and close-knit harmonies of 60s maestros such as the Zombies, the Byrds and the Beach Boys. Animal Bells is the Crayon Fields’ debut album, after forming in the last year of high school in 2002 and releasing two previous independent EPs. The album title refers to the animal-shaped toy bells that were used throughout the album and link its 12 concise songs. Basic tracks were recorded at Sub Studios with engineer Simon Knight earlier this year, then taken home to be polished into their final, shimmering shapes.

Animal Bells is an unruffled, dreamy pop masterpiece. Geoff’s often falsetto vocals and ringing 12 string guitar playing are ably accompanied by Brett Hudson’s nimble bass playing, Chris Hung on 2nd guitar and percussion and Neil Erenstrom on drums. Nicole and Julian of fellow Trifekta artists Minimum Chips also provide guest vocals.
In recent times, the Crayon Fields have supported many a touring national and international band, including the Unicorns, Dirty Three, Electrelane, Deerhoof, Calvin Johnson, Kelly Stoltz and Architecture in Helsinki to name a few.
Now with the multi-layered, resonant and gorgeous Animal Bells, co-released by Chapter Music and Trifekta Records, it’s time for the Crayon Fields to step forward and be counted among Australia’s finest, most intriguing bands.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Choir of Tiny Boys
2. Would it be so Strange?
3. Living So Well
4. Potholes
5. Back, Front, Side, Low, High
6. Composed
7. Helicopters
8. Lovely Time
9. Impossible Things
10. Do it First
11. Midnight
12. Drains