Reviews

Hayden

In Field and Town

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Review Date: 2008-02-05

Hayden’s latest release, “In Field & Town” opens with the lyrics ‘take it easy, it’s what we need to do right now’ and the feeling carries through the album.  A more light-hearted effort from one of Canada’s favourite singer songwriters, known for his sad folk, this disc gives us more to play with utilizing children’s toys, brighter outlook writing and more instrumentation than on previous albums.  “In Field & Town” may be his best effort to date. 

Years ago Paul Hayden Desser was hailed as the next Beck, with his low mumbled voice and the out-of-the box lyrics, until his album, “The Closer I Get” flopped and the labels wanted nothing to do with him, a blessing in disguise. 

It gave him the opportunity to leave the confines of a record contract, open his own Hardwood Records label (Cuff The Duke, Basia Bulat) and release a steady stream of albums (one every three years) from the comfort of his own home and studio.  With his writing and creativity unhindered by a big money producer; he had the chance to record and re-record, changing lyrics and adjusting levels until he was happy.

“In Field & Town” is blissful compared to “Elk-Lake Serenade,” even though most songs on the album are still stories of love lost. The lyrics of “Damn this Feeling”-  “Leaves they are falling/just as I let go of you/winter is calling/and I have no memories to lose” – are laid over bright, minor chords on the piano.  “Did I Wake Up Beside You” sticks in your head with its triumphant chorus and lyrics of finally getting out of an awful relationship - “the whole way down you were right/when the wrapping fell from the bow I took flight/oh we started out so nice.”  The song ends with an electric solo, another electric guitar slamming through chords, a steady and strong drum beat and smashing pianos just to get his emotions out. 

“Weight of the World” is the shortest track on the album, but could be a favourite for his die-hard fans.  It’s Hayden, his acoustic guitar, a harmonica and gorgeous backing vocals from Holly Throsby. Lyrics like “It’s just one of those days/don’t let me get into your way/’cause you believe the weight of the world/is on the shoulders of a girl” should soften an angry heart in any relationship. 

 “Where and When” is the lead-off single, an upbeat acoustic. Rising horns, a pumping bass line, some keys, a shaker and even hand claps bring this tune together.  It’s a fun frolic in folk rock about him asking a girl to come out with him, to which she lovingly replies where and when.  It’s simple song to love.  “Lonely Security Guard” is about watching a big, burly security guard at a mall, who is sitting, bored, folding a paper swan together. The stark contrast of the image encourages Hayden to steal until a paper sword catches him.

Truthfully, the album isn’t much different from his last effort but it is progress, it is a new offering and for anyone that has anything to do with folk, especially Canadian folk, it’s worth picking up. It’s also worth trying to get into the sold out show at the Music Hall on Danforth.

Score: 8.7

- Tyler Wade