-Greg’s Take-
In a move that has already caused a stir on social media (thanks to that fantastic album cover), London’s More Like Trees are set to release their debut album Roots, Shoots & Leaves. I apologize to those with the stereotypical mentality; you won’t find a sensational controversy here quite yet. But I heard TMZ has a picture of Justin Bieber kissing a guy while smoking some grass, why don’t you head on over there.
Roots, Shoots & Leaves is an all-out assault on your senses that leaves you reveling in a plain above common consciousness. As the cover would imply, Josh Whitehouse, Matt Whitehouse and Lachlan Radford use music as their weapon, delivering a powerfully memorable thirteen tracks. They stretch audible peaks to the boundaries of your comfort zone, while keeping everything masterfully in check. Most importantly, they grab hold of the recipe that Mumford & Sons took to the world stage, grab it by the neck with one hand and douse it in whisky with the other proving there is much more to the style those other English guys keep slinging at us.
More Like Trees’ folk, by way of island/Flamenco, wear a shroud most will find comfort in, reminiscent of deep track Sublime mixed with feisty old world folk and a dash of rock, but propel themselves forward with complete, unadulterated originality. Or basically, the most awesome shit I could have possibly stumbled upon.
Whether it be the calling chants of album opener “Trees” or the dark strings and spinning distaste in “Chilly Water” or the hummed harmony “Cake Featuring The One Taste Choir,” Roots, Shoots & Leaves is evocative, provocative and one hell of a good time.
Though it should most definitely be recognized that this is not some angry trio raised in ties and loafers forced to practice the old style instrumentals (the strings and classical guitars cannot be missed), no these three catapult forth with a new style of “Strum & Bass.”
If you judge this book by its cover, you will miss something spectacular. Behind the shadow of aggression there is an elegance that is simply stunning. Their 21st century lifestyle draws on an almost classical hymn influence and explodes in an array of colors. Their progressive mentality is a saving grace; their nod to the classic is respectable; and their thirteen tracks are not to be missed.
