At just over an hour and ten minutes long, the only way I’m going to get through this review is by keeping it as summarized as possible. Short story: Field Music‘s Field Music (Measure) double album sounds like Of Montreal mashed with Herman’s Hermits, minus the druggy trip, and dragged through the BBC in 1966. Twenty songs long, Field Music (Measure) isn’t necessarily in flux, but it does carry enough variance to keep you interested all the way to the purely-for-delicate-noise instrumental exit, “It’s About Time”—what a fitting title. 
And for such a double album released from a band composed solely of two brothers (David and Peter Brewis hold it together; Andrew Moore didn’t return for this reprise, and just recently have they committed to full-time replacements) and after each brother’s side project took them away from Field Music focus, it’s a completion of artistry done with smarts. They’re known for a pop-like sort of mellow, with former albums sounding a bit more jangly (Tones of Town more so than the sweeping self-titled debut).
“Them That Do Nothing” is the first single I ended up paying attention to, since “Measure” was released as a teaser back in October (but I was off concentrating on neon chucks or something). It’s shocking that I did miss the preview, but I’m glad I did, because I would have been way more stoked than I am now. The album is good—it’s still intelligent and well-paced in pop, signature vocals, and the free form of past folky love reminiscent of Lindsay Buckingham—but “Measure” has a brilliant string opening that leads to a catchy plucking that evokes banjo breakdown. “Let’s Write a Book” is romantic in staccato lyrics, diggy bass hooks, off-the-cuff xylophone, and some haunting synth. I reformat what I said in the beginning—this can be a druggy trip of a listen, but not in a modern hit, think back to the vinyl and eight track days (or remember your parents talking about it), and that’s more what you’ll get. Read: Led Zeppelin.
If you at all are a fan of mid-60s era Beatles, or trancy-but-groovy synth pop, HAL or Royal Wood, Bishop Allen, or just really dug that “You Don’t Send Me” Belle and Sebastien song, this will put a smile on your face the whole play through. A notable grit does pop up, boosting the original sound of Field Music, but they remain hook-repetitive. Apparently when you’ve got a good base, you just keep going until someone breaks out with an improv lead. A tight album wrapping “Share The Words” will definitely be the next single, and if it isn’t, you should at least groove to it once a day. In fact, any song that uses the lyrics “I’m hot for myself” paired with loose guitars and a backing off-tempo set should always make it onto playlists everywhere. “Effortlessly” keeps the repetitive theme, but carries it beyond what’s more than welcome—watch out for those. There are only a few tracks that goes off course, but when they do, it’s a rush to hit the >>| button.
