The Dead Trees owe a considerable debt to Albert Hammond Jr, in part because he’s twice taken them on tour with him, but more because his jagged guitar playing informs so much of their sound.
Maybe I’m being unfair. In this post-”Is This It” world it’s tough not to hear the influence of The Strokes everywhere you look, and besides, on “World Gone Global”, the lead single from The Dead Trees’ latest album “What Wave”, they display a sunnier disposition than their often grumpy New York mentors can manage. It’s the sort of track that feels tailor-made for a tropical jaunt, in the same vein as Weezer’s “Island In The Sun”, and is the definite highlight of the album.
That track’s chirpiness and pop sensibility can be found throughout “What Wave”, even as The Dead Trees vary their sound, exploring some gentle balladry on “Comfortable Kids” and dabbling in a little hillbilly blues on “Rayna”. It comes through most effectively again on “Play Your Hand”, where The Dead Trees sound like Phoenix without the synths [or the accent].
“What Wave” is a pretty safe bet: sometimes delightful, always inoffensive, and only half an hour long, you can’t really go wrong. Stream “World Gone Global” below and hit the Soundcloud link for a full album stream.
Connect with The Dead Trees - Myspace | Facebook | Tumblr | Soundcloud
