Published on Sep 9, 2005
Since I used to live in Kansas, it was an honor to review this
(formerly) local band’s work. Writer Dain Estes has put together a
diverse group of artists combining soft rock, unique world beats
and everyday pop resulting in his own brand of alternative
music.
Although they were unfamiliar (har!) to me, Shaking Tree began
playing in the Midwest in 1996 and released this CD this year.
Estes said it was recorded under no time constraints, and that
laid-back approach definitely paid off.
With just a small hint of Celtic, “Everywhere” opens the CD,
already establishing the world-music influence on these guys. The
stringed instruments take control and it becomes a light airy
spirit that carries through the rest of the CD. And if I can
connect with the lyrics then the music will immediately follow, and
the words here remind me of my state: “To walk upon the cold / Cold
earth between the dirt and stone / Trembling like shaking trees
waiting on the storm.” These words sum up exactly how I feel about
Kansas — somewhere between dirt and stone.
“Familiar” is a love song of repentance and the familiarity of
trying to succeed in a relationship but not doing enough to make it
work, making it “easier to lock the door than be forgiven.” Again,
the lyrical writing talents of Estes are dominant on the CD,
wafting from folk on “Light in August,” a rich, warm performance,
to pop on “Didn’t Say,” a forceful song with a slight reminiscent
flavor of John Mellencamp.
“One Night” takes the romantic ideal of love and twists it into
a song about a one-night affair — “Just don’t count on me/I’ll let
you down / ‘Cause you’re only here / ‘Cause I’m bored of this
town.” “Beautiful” is by far the best on the album and it closes
the CD, flowing smoothly and incorporating anger and pain
underneath a pop and bluegrass combo.
Familiar remains consistent musically and lyrically. Estes
is a superb writer, unafraid of exposing himself through his words,
and has said in interviews the songs on the radio lack honesty. His
words coupled with the band’s clever backdrops make this a rarity
in the musical world and a release worth examining.
[For more information, visit
www.shakingtree.com]