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