Elysian Fields – Femmes, Family and Mars (2023)

With their self-titled debut EP, Elysian Fields offered a sort of noir rock, the sedate chanteuse vocals of Jennifer Charles quickly conjuring ballpark comparisons to Margot Timmons (Cowboy Junkies) and Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star). The music is neither as mainstream as Cowboy Junkies nor as doom-obsessed as Mazzy Star, with cameos by noted New York downtown music mavens John Lurie and Marc Ribot. The band's sophomore album Bleed Your Cedar was produced by Steve Albini, but during this time the band's creative throws began its downward spiral. The label criticized them for sounding too dark and harsh, forcing Elysian Fields to sever ties with Radioactive in 2000. Charles and Oren Bloedow signed with Jet Set (distributed by Caroline) to issue Queen of the Meadow later that year. ~ Richie Unterberger