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The Tremula
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The Tremula
Exumbrella Records
Release: 8/02/2005
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Rated:
Review by:
Jason Warner
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Are you in the mood for a melody? Are you feeling alright?
If you want to feel good and feel like dancing then you just
might need a helping of The Tremula. Formerly known as
Redd Tape, the group has been together for a few years and
The Tremula is their second full-length record.
It is their first record on indie label, Exumbrella Records, a
label out of Utah that is putting out some great bands and
starting to get some attention. It has been my personal
opinion (and if my opinion doesn't count for anything you
may as well stop reading right now) that Salt Lake City, Utah
is one of the untapped musical hotbeds of the country. Lots
of great bands in a variety of genres and styles. The
musicianship in the area is high caliber, and Exumbrella
seems to have the market cornered of late with every
release being a must have record. The Tremula is one of
those bands and The Tremula is one of those
records.
Recorded by infamous Salt Lake
musician/engineer/producer/genius Jeremy Smith at the
equally infamous (and now defunct) Salt Lake underground
venue, The Moroccan, in the summer of 2005, The
Tremula, is an ambitious record. Departing from the
more pop oriented debut from the group, the new album,
while still containing elements of pop, leans more at times
toward free jazz and even progressive rock. Fear not, pop
lovers, there are still plenty of toe tapping, dance inducing
hooks and melodies on The Tremula, including
the college radio-ready, "Anchors Away." Other great
standout tracks include the opener, "Tunnels," a 6:47 epic
that is worth every second, "Hands and Eyes" and "How to
be Human," featuring the thought provoking questions, "Will
I be a doctor or a piece of the earth in 55 years?," and "Will
I be a fireman or a chemical in 2000 years?" Indeed.
"Goodbye Sean" pays tribute to the group's recently
departed keyboardist, Sean McCarty.
The sound quality of The Tremula is nothing
short of amazing. Jeremy Smith has done a wonderful job
at capturing every nuance and subtlety of the band. The
guitar tones are crisp, the drums clear and precise. The
glorious harmony vocals are right on top where they
belong.
The Tremula has been on a touring frenzy this fall and if you
haven't had a chance to see them in a venue near you, keep
your eyes peeled because they're sure to pop up soon, and
they put on a live show that is not to be missed. |
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