Newcastle isn't exactly renowned for its hotbed of local talent. Not being from anywhere near the area, I shouldn't be one to pass comment, but it would appear from this highly accomplished demo that we'd be ill advised to ignore for much longer.

The Fields, a five-piece, are certainly nothing out of the ordinary, but what they have created flourishes with melody and grace that threatens to rival their highly esteemed signed competition. Lead track 'Fly On' seems to tackle a market which has pretty much drowned in its own hype: acoustic guitars coupled with provocative, emotively lush vocals. Nothing particularly abstract but we're not talking world domination here just yet.

Follow up track 'The Fields' begins with a pleasantly unusual intro, and delves into some equally as pleasant vocal melodies. Driven by its earnest, cascading guitar lines, again it is territory well travelled, but there is something charming about The Fields that excuses them for wearing their fellow indie chancers' influences so blatantly on their sleeves.

The next three tracks do nothing to relieve us of this charm, but fail to affirm any real orginiality that the scene so desperately seeks. That said, if bands such as The Crescent can get offered such impressive deals, why can't The Fields?

More work is needed to carve their own sound, but in terms of ability there is little to suggest they can't forward their thinking and craft the hauntingly moving compositions that 'Time Can't Be Better Spent' often suggests.