Christopher Mansfield, the man behind Fences, (and it’s tempting to say ‘behind the mask’ too given the tattoos) has made collaboration an art over the years. In the past Fences has worked with the likes of Billy Strings, Will Oldham, Tegan & Sara, Macklemore, Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla, Jacquire King (Of Monsters and Men), Nile Marr (son of Johnny Marr), Cedric Bixler-Zavala (The Mars Volta, At The Drive-In) and Ryan Lewis.
That spirit is all the way through this – his fourth album – too, with the cast headlined by Jeremiah Green (Modest Mouse) on drums, Thomas Hunter (The Heavy) on guitar, along with Wesley Schultz.
No matter who’s on it though, because “Bright Soil” is an astonishing thing.
One that embarks on a diverse sonic journey. ‘Hell’ opens with a disorienting jazz-like maelstrom, morphing into straightforward Americana with a haunting undertone of ‘I’m simply not well.’ In ‘No One,’ the pulse of a 90s alt-rocker resonates, accompanied by stunning harmony vocals. ‘Thin Legs’ channels Elliott Smith with introspective lyrics like ‘I, as me, can never be happy.’
‘Bright Soil’ takes an unexpected turn with Wesley Schultz’s appearance, adding a genuinely unsettling vibe to the title track. ‘Werewolf Palm’ weaves strange sounds into a catchy, hypnotic rhythm. ‘Sioux City’ addresses suicide matter-of-factly, while ‘Blue Floral’ explores loneliness with a light and airy feel.
‘Sun Falls’ exudes desperation in its sound, juxtaposed with brutally calm lyrics. ‘Church Birds’ bleeds emotion with lines like ‘I bled like a lamb,’ making an anthem of ‘the light that’s inside you is coming out wrong.’ ‘Swim Team’ wraps up the album with poetic imagery like ‘cushions of bones.’
It all adds to a captivating blend of diverse influences and raw lyricism, creating an album that lingers with both haunting melodies and poignant words.
In the interviews around the time this came out, Fences reckoned: “wanted to feel freer and happier—people may think that sounds funny when they hear the album but that’s where I was at.’”
It doesn’t show. What does though, is his incredible way with words. He premiered a Jack Kerouac documentary earlier this year (with the full backing of the Estate) and that gift for words, the way he uses language is everywhere you care to dig on “Bright Soil”.
Starkly beautiful.
Rating 8.5/10
