Littlefield Music

Dan Littlefield, a singer/songwriter out of California, has broken the seal wide open with The Hills We Knew, his very first solo album. Littlefield’s slight southern tone gives his music a unique sound. Not only is he a skilled singer, though. He is also a skilled guitar player and songwriter – three skills that most beginning artists have trouble tying together.

From start to finish, this album is nothing less than brilliant. The Hills We Knew does not consist of one single mediocre song. Littlefield kicks off The Hills We Knew with “On the Rails.” Within just seconds of the song’s intro it is evident that this will not only be a notable song, but that this will also be an impressive album. Littlefield incorporates an even mix of finger picking and strumming within his guitar playing to create a captivating melody. His soulful southern voice and the song’s mellow melody is similar to the style of artist Uncle Kracker. Littlefield’s descriptive lyrics are what immediately set his songs apart from the vast crowd of acoustic artists. Describing the train tracks, he sings, “Rusted spikes replace the steel once so strong.”

Littlefield incorporates a slight island feel into “Awake in the Bed I Lie” by using a tambourine, bongos, and maracas. He sings of the consequences of both his actions and the actions of the person the song is directed toward. “No one said this would be easy . . . now it’s time we put it all behind. Won’t you let me be?”

“Drifter” does well to stray from the cliché lyrics so often found within songs that talk about relationships. Littlefield uses the word drifter to describe the way he is “drifting in and out of hope” within the relationship. The honesty within his lyrics and the passion with which he sings those words allow his listeners to be able to easily relate to his songs. Littlefield sings, “Nothing feels right without you around, and I think it’s time I told you so.”

The superior production of this album makes it difficult to find any true faults within any of his songs. But while the production is of high quality, it is clear that the album portrays the raw abilities of Littlefield and is not overrun with studio edits in an attempt to make him sound better. The title track is introduced in the very middle of the album. Within “The Hills We Knew,” a violin can be heard in the background, adding a poignant touch to the already touching song. Littlefield once again uses descriptive lyrics to his advantage when he sings, “I remember walking with you, picking the sage that grew on the tops of the hills that we both knew, in the middle of the night.”

Littlefield rounds out The Hills We Knew with “Common Threads,” another intense, very moving song. You’ll find yourself humming along to the extremely contagious melody of each verse. He talks about a fading relationship singing, “I used to know you, now I’m not so sure. . . Common threads are supposed to last forever. Come back around again. This time it’s not so pure.”

The Hills We Knew is one of those rare albums that can be played over and over again without the album becoming old or seeming worn out. Littlefield has created something very special with this album. One might even go as far as to say that he has created a masterpiece. It will be interesting to see how Littlefield develops his musical talent in his sophomore release.

Review by Alec Cunningham

Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)