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Talking Trees S/T Released 2002 |
Talking Trees S/T is a wonderful example of an album that seemlessly straddles several genres, assimilates its influences and knowingly throws back something of its own making. 5/5 Beautiful Day 'zine --------------------- This record easily holds its head up alongside Sgt Pepper and Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, yet retains its individuality. BUY IT NOW. Psychedelic Music.net
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All of the songs here are written by Sean Robert Chambers except for a cover of J.A's 'Lather' which sits on the album as if it was the bands own composition. There is a mystical feel to songs such as 'Dear Mrs. Somerset','Wicken Fen' and 'Somewhere upon Worlebury Hill'; however the 60's psyche influence comes to the fore on 'Faroe Smiles' with it's backward guitar solo and also on the extended guitar freakout of 'We Walk The Wheel'. All in all an excellent debut, and one which will make me watch out for more from the band in the future. Feedback U.K # 71 |
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delusionland Released 2006 |
... if you’re in the mood to follow some jingle-jangle melodies home, and Simon & Garfunkle/Crosby, Stills & Nash-ish harmonies are your cup of tea, then you’ll keep returning to this wonderful album that will also appeal to fans of (the UK) Kaleidoscope, to whom they’ve been favourably (and rightly) compared, as well as fans of purveyors of post-Byrdsian pop and folk rock, such as R.E.M. (Chambers sites ‘Murmur’ as a particular influence) and our own Green Pajamas. 9/10 -- Jeff Penczak (24 July, 2006) Foxy Digitalis |
This just so happens to be one of those albums that comes along so rarely these days-a full hours worth of strong melodies and intelligent lyrics.The Jefferson Airplane cover of "Lather" is quite simply breathtaking.The Byrds type harmonies and Rickenbacker 12 string do not detract from the fact that this is basically an extremely well crafted and constructed"Brit/psyche"album.Personal favourites"Steel Plastic Centipede",and the beautifully Mellotron laden"Music of the Spheres".
From England comes the debut album by folk-pop-psych ensemble Talking Trees. The promo sheet makes analogies to Jefferson Airplane, the Byrds and Simon & Garfunkel, and those couldn't be more accurate. The bands consists of Sean Robert Chambers on guitars and vocals, Stephen O'Sullivan on bass, Steve Tucker on organ and piano, and Dan Barrow on drums. The album includes 14 tracks, all characterized by beautiful flowing melodies and tender folky vocals. The Byrds influence is mostly heard in the guitar patterns, and while Sean Robert Chambers doesn't necessarily sound like Simon or Garfunkel it's the singing that most reminds me of that classic duo. And the songwriting is excellent. These are songs that will stick in your head after the first listen. "Somewhere Upon Worlebury Hill" and "Steel Plastic Centipede" are among my favorites. They're both gorgeous slices of pop-psych with intricate little instrumental embellishments. "Wicken Fen" and "Lather" (a Jefferson Airplane cover) both have a more traditional folk sound, though "Wicken Fen" also has a Celtic flavor while "Lather" has some brief but mind-bending trip guitar bits. Another highlight is "Faroe Smiles", one of the heavier songs of the set, having a bit of a tripped out jam quality. And the organ really comes to the forefront on this one too. And speaking of tripped out jams, this band of delicious 3-4 songs closes their set with "We Walk The Wheel", a 9 minute psychedelic freakout of liquid loops and acid jams. What a sweet ending! Yeah, there's no question these guys would have been on the charts 30+ years ago. But though the Talking Trees wear their influences on their shirt sleeves there's a freshness and vitality to them that defies the retro label. Fans of well crafted 60's psych-pop songs can't got wrong. |
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"... this album's last track 'Athabasca' for instance, is a tour through Psychedelic tones as only The Beatles with their'Tomorrow Never Knows'or'I am the Walrus'have bettered..." Twang Tone Athabasca' a nod to the mind bending closer of Revolver. The Byrds' influence can still be heard in the guitar work, but this is an album so distinct in it's own right it's silly to try to draw comparisons. A dozen tracks of warmly melodic folk/rock harmonies and melodies. Gentle male vocals strung over chiming Byrds-like guitars, or mellow psychedelic unravelling. The vibe is sunny and upbeat, even when the songs are sad. All songs are written by Sean Robert Chambers, except for a lovely cover of the Kink's God's Children. There is a celtic influence, and some Americana as well; but it's all well assimilated into their cumulative character; which is ultimately nestled somewhere between Belle & Sebastian and Kings of Convenience. George Parsons - Dream Magazinewww.dreamgeo.com "Frankly, I can't stand them." Montgomery Tumor (Band Manager) |
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Links for reviews: Psychedelic-music.net ------------------------Terrascope.co.uk -----------Jarmusic -----------------Foxy Digitalis -------Woven Wheat Whispers
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From Aural Innovations #22 (January 2003) | |||
