feast of senses: this blog's newest look

I just found a better background for this fanblog! "The boat on the grass" by Roberto is way better than the former one used here. With a tweak here and there, font color changes, borders and lines, a transparent gimp image, the swirls from Trembling Blue Star's her handwriting and RSS.. this blog feels renewed!

Now for updates. I'm currently building an A-Z lyrics compilation of all Field Mice songs I can find out there. So watch out in the coming days!

the new look

This blog is still in the process of collecting details, memorabilia and even paparazzi photos! (grins) I'm not even a fourth away from completion. So bear with me as I take one step at a time.

For now, a new template design has been chosen and we will go from here. From a generic template of blogger, I present to you the combination of "boat 34" and "flowers 86 (XML)" designs by finalsense.com

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I think the boat background perfectly fits with the title of this fanblog.

And despite efforts of finding an already hosted mp3, there was none. So, let me just leave you today with the lyrics of the song.

The Field Mice may no longer be here, but their songs linger on...

A Wrong Turn and Raindrops

Killing time on
London Bridge before
Catching the last train home,
The last train home.

Sharing spring
Evening kisses taking
Pictures, throwing stones,
Throwing stones.
The nightingale and the rose.

I've never been more lonesome,
Life's never been less fun.
She's no longer here--
She's gone.

Empty station, a wrong turn and raindrops, swinging
Her around as the sun goes down,
As the sun goes down.

Of her perfumed,
Her perfumed body, oiled
The bedclothes smell,
The bedclothes smell.
And I'm sleeping well.

I've never been more lonesome,
Life's never been less fun.
She's no longer here--
She's gone.

She's no longer here--
She's gone.

The Field Mice Playlist

Listen to 30 second streams

I know I know, these are not satisfying as you can only feel the gist of how they sound. Most likely those who are visiting here either had a copy of an album or two or have heard of at least one song from somewhere/someone.

Because, if you have collected them all, why search for more? Ha!




I know the answer tho..

It's because you love them to bits!!

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more on last.fm

All Music Guide to TFM

The flagship band of the legendary Sarah Records, the Field Mice neatly encapsulated the label's trademark wispy, lovelorn pop sound and remain among the most beloved British cult bands of their time.

Debuting in 1988 with the single "Emma's House," the Field Mice were originally comprised of singer/guitarist Robert Wratten and bassist Michael Hiscock; initially dismissed in the U.K. press as little more than twee-pop fluff, over the course of subsequent releases like 1989's "Sensitive" and the So Said Kay EP, the group earned not only a devout following but also grudging critical respect, in the process becoming Sarah's best-selling band.

Later growing to a quintet with the additions of guitarist Harvey Williams, keyboardist Annemari Davies, and drummer Mark Dobson, the group held fast to their label's singles-only policy until a much-requested compilation LP, Coastal, was finally released in mid-1991; a studio album, For Keeps, appeared just a few months later.

However, in the wake of a November, 1991 Glasgow live date which ended in onstage fisticuffs, the Field Mice essentially disbanded, playing one final London farewell gig before splitting for good; Wratten, Davies, and Dobson later reunited in Northern Picture Library and Trembling Blue Stars.

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source: AMG

The Field Mice

The Field Mice were the most popular band on the seminal, cult indie label Sarah Records. Initially a duo from South London suburb of Mitcham comprising Bob Wratten and Michael Hiscock, their first EP, "Emma's House," was released in late 1988. But it was with their second single Sensitive that they first received significant critical attention with a subsequent placing in John Peel's 1989 Festive 50.

Over a three year career the band were often dogged with the reputation of having a post-C86 indiepop or generic Sarah Records sound despite producing tracks with numerous styles and influences. Early singles and even their sleeves harked back to early Factory Records bands such as New Order and The Wake, with many tracks often featuring sequencers and samples. Many of the group's recordings, notably Triangle and their epic seven-minute swan song, Missing the Moon, displayed a strong influence from the popular dance music of the time. Most of the group's records were produced by Ian Catt, who later went on to develop the pop dance sound of Missing The Moon further with Saint Etienne (who's second single was a Field Mice cover).

The band split up in 1991 after a fractious tour to promote the For Keeps album, during which lead singer/guitarist Robert Wratten announced he was leaving.

Later, Field Mice members Wratten, Annemari Davies (Wratten's ex-girlfriend), and Mark Dobson briefly formed the more synth-oriented outfit Northern Picture Library, and then Wratten went on to form Trembling Blue Stars in 1995.

A double-album compilation of the now long-deleted Field Mice releases, Where'd You Learn To Kiss That Way? was released in 1999 and sold more copies than any Field Mice record ever sold at the time. Their entire back catalogue was reissued on CD for the first time by LTM Recordings in 2005.

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source: Wikipedia

Intro..

I have long been searching for years about The Field Mice. And they have not formed their own website (yet). So here, I will try to compile all that I know and have seen about them as much as I can. First, for my future reference and any other fan. If anyone out there would like to share some videos or photos of them, I'd be glad to add them up and link the resources.

For now, let me leave you with a sound clip from youtube. A personal fave..

If You Need Someone
first released in January 1990 in 7" The Autumn Store Part1 (Sarah25)
second release in August 1991 in lp/cd Coastal (Sarah 606)



The Field Mice fan..