From the get-go, there are immediate indications that this might very well be the greatest Sense Field has, and ever will be. These five songs are an excellent testimony that ten years of hard work and musical progression pays off. It also serves as a reminder that Sense Field helped to create the sound that's so popular with the kids today, blending their brand of sheer emotive energy with a post-hardcore (read properly - "rock") sound. They've always done it better than the rest, and now's their chance to, once and for all, claim their position at the top of the heap.
I get the feeling that much of this ep is telling a story. Whether it really is or isn't is beyond me, but the energy created by it is an energy of feelings and more importantly, the music begins to literally paint a picture. Take the bellowing noises at the beginning of "All The Ships At Sea", one of this EP's exclusive tracks. It's obvious where they are trying to get your imagination going, yet it's wonderful because it's a suitable intro to the track, as the echoing guitars strum in, soon accompanied by the rock guitar and drums. Altogether, along with the subtle dark undertones, it creates an even more imaginative scene of being on a ship at sea, perhaps in the midst of the beginnings of a battle, be it with the ship itself, or an outside foe.
"Open-Heart Surgery", one of the EP's non-exclusive tracks, will be appearing on their forthcoming self-titled album, due out at the beginning of the year. On this track, Jonathan Bunch's delivery of "your smile, lights up the hospital room" is one of the few warming signs in a track that is overall a real downer in content. I'm interpreting it as a person, possibly on their deathbed or in a critical position, begging for the company of an angel. It's definitely touching, in more than a few ways.
I'm finding the EP's opener to be one of the strongest rock songs I've heard in quite some time, mixing the power of both straight-forward electric rock, background acoustic rock, a driving chorus, and an amazing "center piece" of sorts. Halfway through the song, it breaks down into a more powerful chorus, being led by an amazingly simple and repetitive drum fill, and accompanied by some wailing guitars. The title track, "Part Of The Deal" is a super strong rock number as well, featuring some of the raddest (and again, quite simple) driving guitar lines in the business today. The drums keep the pace picked up and packed solid, and as usual, the vocals are carrying the song all the way home. This is easily the most sonic display I've seen from this band yet.
Now keep in mind that this is apparently a limited edition release, so pick it up as soon as possible. I've been listening to an advance of the new album, and it's as strong in many ways, but lacking in specific points. With only an EP's worth of material, there's not much room to spare if you want to put out a solid release. Luckily for Sense Field, they're on a fast track to somewhere, and this preview into the future only serves as their ticket there.