Akron, Ohio’s If These Trees Could Talk are probably the biggest musical surprise I’ve come across this year. Their self-titled, self-released EP provides an almost trance-inducing collection of metallic-tinged instrumentals that might induce an out-of-body experience if listened to under the right conditions.
Beginning with “Malabar Front,” the CD launches into an 8 minute trip of simultaneous melancholia and riffage that is tailor-made for headphones. (Actually, the whole CD is perfect for headphones, but I’d say that it’s the best track of the six included songs for the “experience.”)
The band is powered by three guitarists who provide some incredibly nuanced playing. For a completely instrumental release, the CD is pleasantly devoid of needless guitar wanking. Each song is comprised of obviously technical playing but it’s done in a way that benefits the song at hand rather than existing to self-promote the ability of any one musician.
The production on If These Trees Could Talk is amazing for a self-recorded, self-released disc. If a major label were to release a disc of this quality, production-wise, no one would guess it was done by the band themselves.
The only real problem with the album, as a whole, is that the songs tend to blend directly into one another a bit too much and, after a few listens, begin to sound a bit too similar. If the songs and performances weren’t as strong as they are, that would really hamper the enjoyment. Thankfully, taken individually, each song is mammothly powerful and expressive even without vocals or lyrics. For a young band on its first release, that’s an enormous achievement.
If you’re a fan of Tool’s instrumental jams, I highly recommend If These Trees Could Talk. In all honesty, I’m enjoying it more than 10,000 Days.
For more information on If These Trees Could Talk, visit their website at http://www.myspace.com/ifthesetreescouldtalk
8 out of 10.
