Ivory Fields takes the electronic shoegazey moments from 80s stalwarts OMD and Love and Rockets and blend them with the elektro-industrial complex of the 90s. The duo references Alien Sex Fiend (okay, so more 80s), and that's totally fair. The resulting sound, though is something thoroughly more modern.

Ivory Fields Ivory Fields (Simballrec)

Perhaps because the shoegaze sheen mixes so well with the gothic electronics. The languid feel within the expansive sound makes this sound somewhat like the album Tears for Fears meant to record (if it didn't apply its atmospherics with a trowel), but Ivory Fields' use of rhythms is much more creative and idiosyncratic.

While Ivory Fields is caught between influences and a modern outlook, that very conflict defines this album and brings its ideas more clearly into focus. In the end, Alejandro Cohen and Mahadev embrace to totality of their ideas and don't compromise. They make sure every thought is heard, and they do so without cluttering up these songs.

So you get kinetic, ethereal songs that belong to today and yesterday. This is not an easy album to categorize, and I'd suggest not even trying. Ivory Fields have tales to tell. Let your mind wander and see where it ends up.

Jon Worley