★★★★☆
Heron Oblivion are a supergroup culled from the underground musicians of San Francisco. They combine the sweetness and delicacy of early 1970s folk acts such as Fairport Convention and Trees with the soul-grinding aggression and bleak despair of heavy rock with quite exciting results. Singer Meg Baird’s pure-toned vocals on Beneath Fields are a delight, particularly when bludgeoned into oblivion by Noel Von Harmonson’s wailing guitar. (Sub Pop)