Elysian Fields, Last Night On Earth

By J Howell

Jennifer Charles made me a fan the first time I heard “Mr. Cardiac,” a song she sang on the first Firewater record, Get Off The Cross, We Need The Wood For The Fire.

Charles’ breathy, sultry singing paired with Tod Ashley’s brilliant, incisive lyrics was one of many high points on that record, and I had to hear more. A couple of years later, I found an EP of her band, Elysian Fields, a collaboration with Oren Bloedow and a revolving cast of Downtown New York luminaries, including Marc Ribot.

I enjoyed the record a lot, but somehow forgot about Elysian Fields afterwards. I was happy to be reminded of them when I found that Last Night On Earth was coming out soon. After listening, I regret having forgotten about them for so long.

Last Night On Earth is Elysian Fields at their best. Charles’ exquisite voice and Bloedow’s inspired music add up to a great record. The first song, “Sleepover,” recounts a childhood memory with a moving, lovely blend of beauty and menace. “Red Riding Hood” similarly contrasts innocence and darkness, retelling the story with a disturbing sexiness that’s incredibly effective and quite enjoyable.

From that point on, the record moves away from the harrowing and into more direct love-song territory, but as usual, the band provides these songs with a relaxed, sensual beauty that’s an awful lot harder to explain than it is to love.

There is some slight seediness underneath later tracks, but even then, in what may be the album’s best track, “Villain On The Run,” it’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, a perfect soundtrack for doing things you maybe shouldn’t with someone you maybe shouldn’t be with, and loving every moment of it.

Put simply, for fans of downtown New York wit and sophistication who enjoy more than a little sweet with their smart, Last Night On Earth is near perfect.

Last Night On Earth was released on June 14 through Ojet Records. Please visit the Elysian Fields website for more information.