Secret Mezzanine – ‘Field Guide to American Houses’
Ranging from the lush sophisti-pop yearning of “Did it Rain” to the pulsing rock hooks within “Pileated Woodpecker,” Field Guide to American Houses is a catching new album from Indiana-based act Secret Mezzanine. Following a 2022 that saw two singles and a Midwest tour, despite all four members living in different cities, the quartet succeeds thoroughly with Field Guide to American Houses, exuding a comforting and melodic sound with sincere lyrical introspection.
The jangly guitar pulses and amiable vocal hooks within “Pileated Woodpecker” conjure a sort of early ’00s indie-rock nostalgia, when acts like The Shins embraced a lighthearted yet wholesome hook-minded fulfillment. “Pileated Woodpecker” rides on similarly breezy charm initially, with gorgeous guitar additions and dashes of synth building a playful conclusion. The track serves as an accessible rock delight, following the breezy opener “Too Soon” — showing shades of Dr. Dog in the bouncy keys — and calmingly atmospheric instrumental “In the Wind.”
Immersive and captivating, “Did it Rain” is fit for rainy-day contemplation. The lightly trickling acoustics and serene backing synth driving to the exclaiming question “did it rain last night?” There’s a bit of Steely Dan in the gently swaying guitars and confident vocal tone, also exuding a sophisti-pop character in the vein of Sondre Lerche. Compelling further with the Beach Boys-esque harmonizing within “Don’t Know Why” and the closing “One More Night” — dazzling with its synth/guitar interplay — Field Guide to American Houses is chock full of quality songwriting.
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“Pileated Woodpecker” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of March 2023’ Spotify playlist.
