Soft Pow'r

The first word Little Wings front man Kyle Fields sings on the dreamy folk-rock album *Soft Pow’r* is “totally” and the accent makes it clear that this excellent singer/songwriter is from the west coast. The disc exudes a mellow sound associated with that part of the country, but unlike more mainstream acts, there’s a ragged-but-right quality to Field’s voice and the playing that accompanies him. Vocals shake, drumming wobbles just right, and the production is as homey as a welcoming living room on a winter night. The psych-flavored “Warming” finds the band laying down a groove that evokes lapping ocean waves while an electric guitar slithers along. Field rides the rhythm, letting loose words and more words and sweet wordless tones, too, and even though it’s the longest cut, you want it to go on even longer. “Beep About” features really nice piano and brushed drums backing Field, who mysteriously asks, “What’s the beep about?” “Scuby” — the opening track that immediately establishes the album’s vibe — quietly hooks you. It’s tough to make out all of the words, but the refrain, “Scuby’s gone again,” is heartbreaking; it’s easy to picture a guy, alone with his thoughts, sitting on a strip of sun-drenched sand.

This short, sweet, and mostly acoustic offering is more austere than many of bandleader Kyle Field's prior records but no less affecting.

Kyle Field, the musician and surfer behind Little Wings, has been around for a while now, though you might not recognize his name.