Dolorean - Violence in the Snowy Fields

Genre rock Publisher Yep Roc Records External Links Dolorean Yep Roc Records

There are certain things that I love in the winter. Dunkin' Donuts' hot chocolate, sleeping late on Sundays, and acoustic guitars to name a few. But let me stress how much I love acoustic guitars in the winter months. Something about the combo of windy days when the snow is falling with acoustic guitars as the background music makes me totally at ease. And on the album Violence in the Snowy Fields, Dolorean has given me much to be at ease about. They have created a terrific balance between soft vocals, string arrangements and piano playing to make Violence in the Snowy Fields a hidden gem of 2004.

Al James whispers his vocals on "Put You to Sleep" over quiet acoustic guitar plucking as he is backed by a rather dramatic string arrangement. He sings, "Baby, let's die at the same time" on "Dying in Time" which might be one of the most romantic songs I've heard this year. The lyrics are delivered in a higher pitch with a more pleading tone on "Holding On." The song slowly builds and gains momentum. Finally exploding with beautiful violins at the end.

Dolorean explore their louder side over the course of Violence in the Snowy Fields. Busting out the electric guitar on "To Destruction" as the piano keys are struck just a bit louder on the amazing title track breaks the album up nicely. The band shows surprising range on these tracks. At times they maintain the pace of an icicle dripping into nonexistence on early tracks, but can suddenly change speeds in the middle of the album proving they are not going to be labeled as a quiet band.

However, it is the slow burners that make this album strong. The band has incredible intuition for when to bring in the piano, or build up the violins after a beautiful lyric or even simply sound a chime. Such is the case on "My Grey Life (Second Chances)" when right after James whispers, "I believe in second chances for everyone but you" the violins bring the song to a powerful close. Or on "The Righteous Shall Destroy the Precious" when the drums crash it signals the same guitar chord to be struck over and over again.

This might not be an album to play with the windows open on the way to the beach (unless you really hate warm days and beaches). But when the skies seem permanently gray and the temperature painfully cold, this album is like a pair of earmuffs. Violence in the Snowy Fields can be added to my list of essential music for the winter months.