Alternative Rock Review: The Dreaming Tree-Silverfade

The Dreaming Tree, yet another new band to The Ancient One, is not “new” in the true sense of the word since they have been around for over 10 years. Formed way back in 2003/2004, this release, Silverfade, is the 5^th to be issued following on from an early self-titled EP (2004), Grafting Lines and Spreading Rumours (2007), Unplugged One How To Sound Good Naked (2010) and Progress Has No Patience (2010).

 

The Dreaming Tree is a 5 piece band comprising Chris Buckler (vocals), Dan Jones (guitar, backing vocals), Neil Simpson (bass), Neil Ablard (drums) and Steven Barrett (keyboards).

Silverfade is a 14 track album with a total playing time of around 66 minutes. The longest track on offer is track 4, “Forever Not Forever” running on for 8:05 minutes, with track 8, “Jaded Summer Long,” the shortest on the album at under 2 minutes (1:39) in length.

The opening track on the album, Silverfade, “Yesterday’s Tomorrow” (3:41) starts with a solo piano then quickly bursts into chunky guitar chords with some excellent bass and drums the foundations of the track. The vocals are clear and light and it is a track that bursts into life, but all too soon has gone and doesn’t seem to have had enough time to leave a melody in your head. There is an interesting use of the trumpet soloing and taking the track out.

Jumping beat and an interesting synthesizer in the background, heralds the entry of “Heart Shaped Bruises” (5:24) but at times it seems to careen along, almost out of control. The musicians seem intent on trying to get a 5+ minute song to finish in less than 3 minutes. The highlight of this track is the superb guitar work after the halfway point.

“Yours To Find” (3:23) has some nice organ swathes but the chunky guitar style seems to be already overshadowing everything else. Next up is the longest track on Silverfade, “Forever Not Forever” (8:05) although the band sings “Forever’s Not Forever.” This has a very atmospheric introduction with a softish guitar melody, tinkling bells and a great bass and I was really looking forward to this track evolving into a different entity to the previous tracks. Just around the 1 minute mark, when the chunky guitars enter the scene, my interest faded a little. One thing I will say about this track is that it oozed potential, but the vocals appeared to be weak at times and there seemed to be too much veering this way and that within the instrumentation. A little “pruning” could have made this track deserve the term “stunning.”

Taking the next 4 tracks in quick succession, “Cherry Winters” (4:42) is a harmonious and jazzy track, followed by “Autumn Haze” (5:20) which is more guitar/ organ driven and then “Higgs” (3:52) and “Jaded Summer Long” (1:39) both lean heavily on the chunky driving guitar.

The next track, “Every Minute Lost” (4:25) stands out due to its slower tempo, clear vocals and more laid back sound, but ultimately loses out to an unnecessary blast of guitar pyrotechnics as it exits. “Loose It Off” (3:39) has great vocals and harmonies, and is another example of the slower style, but then changes tack with a guitar led passage and a strained spoken vocal, which didn’t seem to fit well before a return to the original passage.

“Song in 7” (5:11), “The Ocean” (3:16) and “Kosovo” (5:45) are in turn, driving rock, which works after the slower tracks, a very slow melodic track and then a track (“Kosovo”) that tries to merge the slow melodic style with the driving guitar, which was less successful.

The final track on the album, “Zero To Type One” (7:39) is an out and out guitar driven rock track, but somehow doesn’t quite gel.

During the review of this album, I have had bouts where the music genuinely started to excite me, but there were just as many points which left a real feeling of disappointment. It is almost as if the band have tried too hard to please everyone who listens to the album, with the result that, across the 14 tracks, the music just seems to be spread too thin.

I have been known, when reviewing a double album, to make the comment that there is a stunning single album hiding in all the tracks. With Silverfade, I feel that if the band had been perhaps a little more focused on what they wanted to do, possibly reducing the overall track number, and even trimming the length of individual tracks, this would have been a much more successful release.

This, of course, is a very personal view and as always, I urge people to check out all albums for themselves. On Silverfade, I detected huge chunks of potential, marred at times by less focused areas.

3.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Forever Not Forever, Cherry Winters, The Ocean

Tracks: 
Yesterdays’ Tomorrow
Heart Shaped Bruises
Yours To Find
Forever Not Forever
Cherry Winters
Autumn Haze
Higgs
Jaded Summer Long
Every Minute Lost
Loose It Off
Song in 7
The Ocean
Kosovo
Zero To Type One
 

Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog Rock Music Talk

August 17, 2015

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Alternative Rock Review: Sarah Schulte-Getting Away

Release Date: Jul 15, 2014

Label: SarahNade

Website

Young and pretty Sarah Schulte looks like the typical pop diva right? While that may hold a certain amount of truth, so does the saying “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Never is that more appropriate for this performer.

Schulte’s seven track recording is a portrait of one powerful singer. She goes from dark to light then light to dark, covering the spectrum of emotions throughout this musical statement titled Getting Away.

As the opening track starts with the ticking of the clock you anticipate a powerful message delivered and it is with “Seconds,” one energetic and snappy opening track. The all-important kick off track does its job and sets the tone going forward.

“Getting Away” starts off a little more timidly but do not be fooled…it’s another knockout punch regardless of the shifting pace and tempo. If words could kill this track would be a deadly weapon. The guitar is great on this track, it rocks and when the lead takes over that one passage puts a final killer stamp on it and pushes it over the top. Again, message delivered in your face whether you like it or not.

“Crying Shame” is more pop oriented and smooth but yet another powerful set of lyrics. These are words that need to be heard for whomever it may fit at the moment. There is always someone in need with the inability to express things in words but can only communicate it with an action or reaction. In this case the words are the “action.”

“Crimson Lullaby” is probably the most provocative track lyrically and musically it supports the hard words with flourishes of high energy and succinct power. It starts off with a nice piano intro, then builds, and builds to a sweeping crescendo of vocals and a wall of sound that makes the words hit home with feeling. After you look at the CD inside cover where the lyrics are you see the track is in memory of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. 

“Nigthmare” is self-explanatory with appropriate lyrics and some fast paced music with some keyboards to give it an electronic dance feel to it. It makes you feel like you are the character portrayed in the story running for your life.

The only track the feels out of place on the entire album is “Spooky Funky Nasty.” I give Schulte credit for trying something different however it was not a good choice to close out an otherwise consistently strong effort.

I really focused in on all the lyrics and the music was the added bonus. I have to say that Schulte has a great voice and is a very talented young lady. She is from Southern California, the perfect place to grow up in an environment that encourages people to reach for the stars then become one. She is on the right course to success.

4/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Seconds, Getting Away, Crimson Lullaby

Tracks: 
1. Seconds       
2. Getting Away       
3. Crying Shame       
4. Torn       
5. Crimson Lullaby       
6. Nightmare       
7. Spooky Funky Nasty

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Write A Music Review Founder

September 24, 2014

Review Provided By Write A Music

Alternative Rock Review: Birth of Joy-Prisoner

Release Date: March 4, 2014

Label: Long Branch Records

Website

Born out of a sound reminiscent of sixties rock on overdrive, this band has it going on. Psychedelic sounds meet the crooning essence of The Doors, Pink Floyd and MC5. Birth of Joy is a threesome based out of Amsterdam but their fandom is growing to international proportions. The members are: Kevin Stunnenberg (vocals & guitar), Bob Hogenelst (drums & backing vocals) and Gertjan Gutman (organ & bass).

In 2013 Birth of Joy performed over 97 concerts all over Europe. The sixth album in a very respectable lineup Prisoner features the band in their best form yet. In November 2013 Prisoner was recorded and produced by Joris Wolff and mastered by Brian Lucey. A blend of blues, metal, grunge rock and a bit of stoner punk, this album curled my toes a little. I haven’t turned it off for a week now. 

You know an album resonates when you find yourself humming it in your off hours. “Grow” is one of those tracks that comes grumbling and screaming to life with a hollow blazing kick start. Percussion and guitar grind and roar. Textured vocals scrape and smear themselves over the piece. It is modern art—a sheer roller coaster ride of gutsy essence. It is a finger in the eye to anyone who tries to check one box on the music spectrum. I love it.

“Prisoner” is the title track to the album. Chains drag across the floor. Hollow voices drift across the background and shuffle into a dirge of a background. It’s a different kind of piece to be sure. Monotone at the outset, you get an inkling of an Orwellian world staring back at you—the all seeing eye watching everything you do. Loss of innocence in a dystopian world resonates with this clanking and whirling cacophony of music. 

“Keep Your Eyes Shut” has to be one of my favorite pieces on the album. Smooth and full of Doors style sliding vocals, this one will stay with you long after the music stops playing. Heavy percussion, organ music and guitar blend with Stunnenberg’s vocals to give us a proper concoction of musical mayhem.

Birth of Joy’s sixth album is a blend of sounds. Not just one genre, it crosses borders to show just how versatile these artists can be. An international success, this band is a touring machine. I wish they were coming to Houston. Admittedly I liked the grunge sound the best with “Grow and “Keep Your Eyes Shut” being my favorites on the album. If you like the Doors, the grit of bands like Nirvana or even the smooth elements like the Smithereens then you have to check these guys out.    

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Grow, Keep Your Eyes Shut, Prisoner

Tracks:
01.The Sound
02.How It Goes
03.Keep Your Eyes Shut
04.Three Day Road
05.Grow
06.Rock & Roll Show
07.Longtime Boogie
08.Mad Men
09.Holding On
10.Prisoner
11.Clean Cut

Dana Wright, Sr. Staff Writer

June 10, 2014

Review Provided By Write a Music Review

Alternative Rock Review: There Will Be Fireworks-The Dark, Dark Bright

Release Date: November 22, 2013

Label: Comets & Cartwheels

Website

You’ll likely need to do some digging to find out more about Glasgow’s There Will Be Fireworks, but, based on their latest release it won’t be long before you know more about Nick McManus, Gibran Farrah, David Madden, and Adam Ketterer. The Scottish four-piece’s second full-length, The Dark, Dark Bright, is full of promise and influence, and leads one to believe that there are endless possibilities for this band going forward.  

The first track I heard from There Will Be Fireworks was the extremely powerful track “River.” It’s a heavy and emotional song, but if you are looking for an album full of songs like it, you will likely be disappointed. You may want to look to the first single, “Youngblood” or “Here Is Where,” to get a better sense of what more of the album is like. While I don’t think there is a song better than “River” (it would be a tall order to top it), there are several good songs that fall into these indie rock ballad and folk/rock sounds.  

As a Glaswegian band it’s easy to find influences for other current Scottish acts in There Will Be Fireworks sound. Frightened Rabbit is probably the biggest culprit, though Glasvegas can be heard as well. I was also reminded of Coldplay on “South Street” in its arena-ready pop/rock style. The more I listen to the album, the more I am reminded of Death Cab for Cutie in when I hear McManus’ emotional lyrics and the melodic style of these songs. 

While “River” may be your first listen to There Will Be Fireworks, I find it necessary to give The Dark, Dark Brighta few listens. It is a beautiful album, full of emotion, and showcases the numerous avenues these young Scots are capable of. I would like to hear more of the power that was displayed on “River” and probably more focus from a band that shows so much range on their next release, but there is no doubt this album shows enormous potential. There Will Be Fireworks has all the tools to make an even better album then The Dark, Dark Bright, just a little more focus on their own sound would do the trick.

4/5 Stars

Key Tracks: River, Youngblood, Here Is Where, South Street

Kevin Kozel

April 18, 2014

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Tracks: 
01. And Out Hearts Did Beat
02. River
03. Roots
04. Youngblood
05. Ash Wednesday
06. So Stay Close
07. Lay Me Down
08. Here Is Where
09. Your House Was Aglow
10. South Street
11. Elder and Oak
12. The Good Days

Alternative Rock Review: Afghan Whigs-Do to the Beast

Release Date: April 15, 2014

Label: Sub Pop

Website

It’s been 16 years, but Cincinnati’s Afghan Whigs are back with a new album, Do to the Beast. The band returns to previous label Sub Pop for the album that will be released on April 15^th.

For those of you that never got into the Whigs before, or missed them entirely, I must recommend you give them a listen. When buzz about them began in the 90’s they were a band on a Seattle-based label during the grunge era. However, they were most certainly not a grunge band and such factors likely didn’t help the band reach a bigger audience despite releasing multiple excellent albums.

What made the Afghan Whigs different than other bands at the time was the influence of soul on their rock sound. It worked in large part because of singer/rhythm guitarist Greg Dulli’s vocals and lyrics full of relationships gone bad and angst. He had a swagger and arrogance that few could pull off when trying similar styles. The result led to much critical acclaim and major label deals, but not enough popularity. The band decided to call it quits in 2001, but started playing shows about a decade later and eventually deciding to record Do to the Beast.

Do to the Beast opens with “Parked Outside,” and it comes at you heavy and dirty, which I think is a great way to open your first album in years. It does a great job of showing that the Afghan Whigs can still be what they were the last time we heard them. They do branch out some though. The first single, “Algiers,” has a country feel to it and “Matmaros” and “The Lottery” incorporate more modern production elements. Few bands seem to close albums as well as Afghan Whigs, and “These Sticks” continues that tradition.

For fans old and new I think the results on Do to the Beast are great. There is a mix of classic Afghan Whigs, yet still some promising progress that allows one to hope this won’t be the last we hear from them. For new fans you get a good album that hopefully makes you want to check out the band’s back catalog. There are several bands getting back together these days and the years have not been kind to their new material or shows. The Afghan Whigs are not one of these bands and Do to the Beast makes this clear.

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Parked Outside, Algiers, Royal Cream

Kevin Kozel

March 28, 2014

Tracks:
01. Parked Outside
02. Matamoros
03. It Kills
04. Algiers
05. Lost in the Woods
06. The Lottery
07.Can Rova
08.Royal Cream
09. I Am Fire
10. These Sticks

Review Provided By Write A Music Review