All it takes is 3 chords and a dream!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Review: Soul Tree - One Part Lonely, One Part Fire


Soul Tree - One Part Lonely, One Part Fire
2009, Soul Tree LLC


When Minneapolis power trio Soul Tree swings into gear you'd swear there has to be at least five guys on stage. From the high energy presence that is Lead vocalist and guitarist Brady Lillie to the huge wall of sound they create, Soul Tree rips off the roof every time they take the stage. Gigging almost exclusively in Minnesota and Wisconsin, Soul Tree has managed to catch hold at over 130 radio stations nationwide with a sound steep in music tradition but as fresh as anyone in Rock N Roll. Soul Tree's debut EP, One Part Lonely, One Part Fire presents the little band with a big sound, a bigger attitude and the chops to back it all up.

Soul Tree kicks off with The Level, a fun rocker that's very danceable. This song is likely a kick live, with the sound growing to mammoth proportions. Suzanne Summers is a heavy Rhythm & Blues rocker about bad choices. The rhythm section of Anthony Schulz on his 1967 Gibson EB-3 and Brad Zampich on drums is as tight as they come, allowing Lillie free reign on guitar and vocals, both of which are outstanding. Born Out Of Flames sounds like a 1980's Glam Rocker with some vicious guitar work thrown in. The beat is irresistible and you just might find yourself dancing. Concrete Walls features one of the best all-around vocal performances on the CD thrown against a classic Blues/Rock guitar part in a mid-tempo rocker that gets a bit repetitive but is otherwise a great listen. Soul Tree signs off with Big Boots, a R&B/Rock tune with country in its lineage. Big Boots is all about the charms of small town girls and their boots.

Soul Tree mixes a hefty dose of testosterone with a classic guitar rock sound to create highly charged, danceable Rock N Roll on One Part Lonely, One Part Fire. It's a legitimate classic rock sound with hints of Americana and Blues thrown in for good measure. It's easy to see what Soul Tree dazzles the folks in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and it's easy to understand how they could be dazzling folks all over before long. One Part Lonely, One Part Fire is a bit uneven, but Soul Tree rocks mightily throughout.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Soul Tree at http://www.soultreeband.com/ or www.myspace.com/soultreepage. One Part Lonely, One Part Fire can be purchase at Soul Tree shows on CD, or you can purchase a download through iTunes. If you need a CD copy, message Soul Tree through their MySpace page. I’m sure they’ll be happy to help you out.

No comments: