Lucas FieldConquest of Happiness11/15, Self-releasedSince splitting with LA based rock group Low vs. Diamond, vocalist Lucas Field moved back to his native Seattle and began composing vibrant, soul inflected pop melodies he regularly performed at Eastlake’s Laadla Bar with a vintage Rhodes organ, a full band, and a cast of vivacious back-up singers. The Laadla Bar sessions were enormously popular and always packed, attracting scenesters of diverse backgrounds who loved the venue’s eclectic energy and Field’s fun-loving, approachable vibe (he was regularly high-fived and bought shots mid-song). In fact, the Lucas Field live experience is so exuberant and dynamic, his latest self-released album Conquest of Happiness sometimes feels like it lacks the zest and spontaneity those vital qualities added to songs like “Givin It All You Got” and “Let It All Begin.” Field’s smooth, close-miked vocals–reminiscent at times of Julian Casablancas, who shared Field’s producer, worked with Jason Lader, the producer of Field’s demo–keeps things trained more towards rhythm and melody than rowdy, soul-glazed shenanigans. But, switching gears from the live setting to the studio, Happiness rings with feeling, and tracks like “Start From Scratch,” featuring Field’s bopping Rhodes and joking, free-styling band, and the Gershwin-styled piano intro leading into the lush drive of “Hold Her Tight” ultimately project the album’s laid back, soul pop agenda, and the music comes through much like the man’s stage persona: happy, warm, and soulful. Just the kind of funky bump Seattle needs to get its butt moving.For $10, get a taste of Field when he plays the Columbia City Theater Friday, December 2nd with Shaprece and Prom Queen and check out the groovy track “Just How It Goes” here:

Just How It Goes by Lucas Field