fanberlinboy
08/17/09, 10:22 AM
Between the Trees - Spain
Record Label: Bonded Records
Release Date: August 11th, 2009
The first time I ever heard Between the Trees, they were opening for Mae on their Destination: Beautiful 5th anniversary tour. I was immediately blown away. Not only did they have incredible stage presence, but as the show went on, I started to pick up on how much of an incredible vocalist the singer was. With the closing song, "White Lines & Red Lights," a fan favorite and should-have-been single from the band's first album, lead vocalist Ryan Kirkland sang the song flawlessly.
Fast forward a year or two. Between The Trees makes a new record titled Spain. Having heard a few of the songs either live or through YouTube videos of old demos, I wasn't wowed. I did listen to this album when it leaked and again, wasn't wowed. Something about it didn't stick with me. However, considering how much I loved their first album, The Story and the Song, I bought it, even though I expected to be disappointed.
After only one listen, I have no idea what it was I didn't see in this album. Most of my favorite songs from this album are songs that I completely passed over like "Miss You," "Move," and "Gentleman," which is my personal favorite. It opens with soft vocals and piano before exploding into a short instrumental section and then going into a chorus where Kirkland shows that he can not only sing just as well as he could on their debut, but better. Kirkland's vocals carry this album, and I can't say I would enjoy this album nearly as much without them.
That said, the musicianship is not by any means bad. Brothers Josh and Jeremy Butler (drums and bass, respectively) are definitely a tighter rhythm section than they were. The low end on the title track and "Move" especially really drives the songs.
My only complaints with this album would be "The One Thing," which isn't necessarily bad, but just doesn't compare to the rest of the album, and "One Last Time," which seems a little too similar to "Darlin'" from their debut, even if that was the goal.
Overall, Between The Trees offers an album here that does top their debut. The band has improved in almost every area. Lyrics were never really a strongpoint for Between the Trees, but there is improvement. There's enough diversity on this album to keep you interested all the way through (upbeat songs like "Story Of a Boy" and "Move," at least one excellent ballad with "Scarecrow" and the mid-tempo piano rockers that make up the majority of the album). Between the Trees may not have completely succeeded with Spain, but when they do, it's hard to escape getting the hooks stuck in your head or bobbing your head along with the music.
1. We Can Try
2. Spain
3. The One Thing
4. One Last Time (Darlin' II)
5. Story Of a Boy
6. Miss You
7. Move
8. Scarecrow
9. Gentleman
10. Changed By You
Jack's Mannequin, Augustana's All The Stars and Boulevards, piano rock in general, catchy music
http://www.myspace.com/betweenthetrees
Record Label: Bonded Records
Release Date: August 11th, 2009
The first time I ever heard Between the Trees, they were opening for Mae on their Destination: Beautiful 5th anniversary tour. I was immediately blown away. Not only did they have incredible stage presence, but as the show went on, I started to pick up on how much of an incredible vocalist the singer was. With the closing song, "White Lines & Red Lights," a fan favorite and should-have-been single from the band's first album, lead vocalist Ryan Kirkland sang the song flawlessly.
Fast forward a year or two. Between The Trees makes a new record titled Spain. Having heard a few of the songs either live or through YouTube videos of old demos, I wasn't wowed. I did listen to this album when it leaked and again, wasn't wowed. Something about it didn't stick with me. However, considering how much I loved their first album, The Story and the Song, I bought it, even though I expected to be disappointed.
After only one listen, I have no idea what it was I didn't see in this album. Most of my favorite songs from this album are songs that I completely passed over like "Miss You," "Move," and "Gentleman," which is my personal favorite. It opens with soft vocals and piano before exploding into a short instrumental section and then going into a chorus where Kirkland shows that he can not only sing just as well as he could on their debut, but better. Kirkland's vocals carry this album, and I can't say I would enjoy this album nearly as much without them.
That said, the musicianship is not by any means bad. Brothers Josh and Jeremy Butler (drums and bass, respectively) are definitely a tighter rhythm section than they were. The low end on the title track and "Move" especially really drives the songs.
My only complaints with this album would be "The One Thing," which isn't necessarily bad, but just doesn't compare to the rest of the album, and "One Last Time," which seems a little too similar to "Darlin'" from their debut, even if that was the goal.
Overall, Between The Trees offers an album here that does top their debut. The band has improved in almost every area. Lyrics were never really a strongpoint for Between the Trees, but there is improvement. There's enough diversity on this album to keep you interested all the way through (upbeat songs like "Story Of a Boy" and "Move," at least one excellent ballad with "Scarecrow" and the mid-tempo piano rockers that make up the majority of the album). Between the Trees may not have completely succeeded with Spain, but when they do, it's hard to escape getting the hooks stuck in your head or bobbing your head along with the music.
1. We Can Try
2. Spain
3. The One Thing
4. One Last Time (Darlin' II)
5. Story Of a Boy
6. Miss You
7. Move
8. Scarecrow
9. Gentleman
10. Changed By You
Jack's Mannequin, Augustana's All The Stars and Boulevards, piano rock in general, catchy music
http://www.myspace.com/betweenthetrees