And Also the Trees
Live @ Totem Club, Vicenza 26.09.2008

LA RECENSIONE

Already after a handful of songs, the atmosphere in the venue was ideal, the best possible. A large, attentive, and warm audience, good acoustics, lights, darkness, smoke, and on stage six musicians with a remarkable stage presence who immediately showcase their value: the first of the two Italian stops of And Also The Trees' European tour was a magnificent, grand performance, which song after song captivated even those who heard their music for the first time.

The concert's success was greatly contributed by the beauty of the new songs that the band presented. "The rag and the bone man" is a splendid album; those who don't have it yet should absolutely get it, listen to it with headphones and without distractions. And Also The Trees have today reached such a level of sophistication and flair that even us long-time fans did not expect. "Rive droite," an exceptional track from this album, live released a majesty that finds few parallels in the band's already rich discography. Lyricism and concreteness were made to coexist with great balance since the first albums, what now fascinates is the great warmth, a romantic warmth. Some tracks of the "new" And Also The Trees, on par with the classic repertoire that could not be missed, are extremely engaging, dragging and thrilling, making the audience feel truly a part of the event.

In "The legend of Mucklov," Jones alternates his usual narrative voice with moments where words are shouted roughly, giving the piece a dramatic and impetuous charge.

Technically the musicians have made extraordinary progress. They were one of the greatest bands of the new-wave, they have become one of the most elegant formations of today's independent music. If 2-3 thousand people attend an Interpol or Editors concert, who honestly and reverently refer to the golden age of the new-wave, 6 thousand should flock to hear those who created this music. But it's known that large numbers are achieved with planned economic investments by majors and concert organizing managers, so we won't start sterile and useless controversies here, but strongly launch an invitation, to everyone, present and absent at the Vicenza concert, to pay more attention to music published by independent labels, true creative lifeblood of the music market. And an invitation to the younger crowd to listen to music from the past to not be deceived by those who plagiarize it (Franz Ferdinand, Coldplay) or by those who (Sony) have decided that Oasis is a great rock band.

Nicola Innocenti

sthovic@yahoo.it