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Hot Press - June
7 2000
Single Of The
Fortnight #2
Brilliant Trees
'Let It All Go' (Plush Vibe)
"For the guts of a decade, these guys
have been releasing pristine pop music that, for one reason or another,
failed to get the attention it deserved - 'Talent' is one of Ireland's most
underrated singles ever. Here's hoping that 'Let It All Go' changes their
fortunes. Sumptuous strings give way to a gorgeous melody that lingers long
after the song has run its course. Already picking up considerable airplay
on Dublin's discerning pirate stations, surely with a song this good it
can't be long before the mainstream stations follow suit."
Brilliant Trees - 'Let It All Go'
"The band believe their latest offerings are some of their best works to
date and hope that it will provide further backing to many people’s opinion
that it is only a matter of time before they achieve the success that they
have toiled so long for.
The title track, ‘Let It All Go’, is a beautiful four-minute thriller, with
Alan Hoey’s distinctive vocals providing a stunning finish to this lyrical
masterpiece. ‘Save Me’ is the Trees doing what they do best – an explosion
of pop with fantastic harmonies. Get Out Of The Way brings us the up-tempo
Brilliant Trees with lots of guitar and a fuller sound. ‘The Fall’ is a
slightly more experimental track, with the band slightly veering down a
different avenue of sound but still tempting us with pieces of their
trademark guitar sound to keep us all happy. ‘Free’, the final track is the
icing on the cake, rounding off this delectable collection of pop, with
Hoey’s stunning vocals again shining through.
‘Let It All Go’ was recorded and produced during the band’s most recent trip
to America. It will be released on independent label, Plush Vibe, with a
release date of early April."
Amazon.com - 'Wake Up & Dream'
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
For those who feared that the rise of Oasis marked the end of British
dream-pop, Brilliant Trees will calm nerves. The Irish quartet walk in the
cemented footprints of early-'90s shoe gazers Ride, Catherine Wheel, and the
Stone Roses, while their predominantly jangly guitar rhythms chime in pop
perfection worthy of the La's. But rather than merely revive a wilting
genre, the band branches out beyond the guitar-washed pale with the poignant
piano-driven ballad "Dance to Your Persuasion" and the Buzzcocks-like blitz
"Family Matters." Allowing glimpses of inspiration barely tapped on Wake-Up
& Dream, the Brilliant Trees hold promise that they, like the
once-ether-steeped Blur, will foray into ventures as anticipated as they are
unpredictable. --Beth Massa
From the Label
What a refreshing listening adventure for those ears tired of the generic,
commercial radio sound being indulged by the major labels today. Wake Up &
Dream is the second independent release by Dublin's janglemeisters, the
Brilliant Trees, proving them to be masters of effervescent guitar pop.
They're still taking simple, catchy and harmony driven songs with subtle yet
profound lyrics as their template.
The title track, "Like You A Lot, Love You a Little", remains a great single
with it's swirling guitar melodies and lush vocals, along with "If You Stay"
and the intoxicating love song "Heartstrings. The keyboard-kissed acoustic
alternative, "Dance To Your Persuasion" and the Beatle-esque "Girl I Used To
Know" evoke innocence. But then there's a sharp whiff of Buzzcocks every so
often, especially on "Only Us" and the hard-hitting "Family Matters".
Musically, it whizzes and zooms with exuberant intensity. Lyrically,
theres's plenty of depth and social commentary for the thoughtful listener.
These four musicians create a powerful collection of pure poetry brimming
with intensity and intelligence, sure to seduce any listener. It's power-pop
at it's best - don't miss this one.
About the Artist
After nine years of playing together, this Dublin-based band that has had
much success in Ireland is looking to captivate new fans in the U.S., Europe
and Asia. The four members of the Brilliant Trees share a passion for
guitar-driven "power pop" music with subtle yet profound lyrics, drawing
upon their early influences - The Smiths and The La's. Their "jangley" pop
guitar style has led to comparisons with the early work of Blur but as they
have matured as musicians, they have developed a unique style all their own.
The band took their name from David Sylvian's first solo album, Brilliant
Trees. Sylvian's themes of growth, earth and life inspired them. While their
songs do not preach, the thoughtful listener will find social commentary
evident in all of their work. The Brilliant Trees released their first
single, "Home" in 1993, a bittersweet song about the rebuilding of Dublin
which became a top ten hit on the Irish charts, and their debut album,
Friday Night released in Ireland in 1996 featured their pop hit "Talent".
Following with the release of an EP in October of 1997, the title track
"Heartstrings", an intoxicating love song, became an instant classic and
moved the band closer to their present sound.
The release of their new album, Wake Up &
Dream, establishes the Brilliant Trees as serious artists. Members of the
band called the Georgia mountains home for one month while recording this
first album with their independent American label, Plush Vibe. Recorded on
analog equipment, the rich, warm sound was enhanced by mixing all tracks on
a vintage Neve desk. This recording features the collaboration of the
band with two American producers and various session musicians, most notably
Joey Huffman, formerly of Soul Asylum and currently performing with Matchbox
20, who sat in on piano for "Dance To Your Persuasion".
The band has been busy promoting the
release of Wake Up & Dream in Ireland and around the world, performing at
the prestigious Midem International Music Market in Canne, France in January
and also at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas this past March. With
their exposure at these international music conferences, the band have
attracted the attention of major record labels who can take their music to
the next level. This summer the Brilliant Trees will be touring England and
look forward to returning to the U.S. later this year. BAND_MEMBERS: Alan
Hoey - vocals, guitar, melodica Sid Barrett - bass Tony Barrett - guitars
Dave Farrell - drums
Album Description
With the release of their second album, Wake Up & Dream, the Brilliant Trees
prove to be masters of driving, effervescent guitar-pop. The four members of
this Dublin based band draw upon early influences - The Smiths and The La's
- and create a powerful collection of pure poetry, brimming with intensity
and intelligence, cleverly concealed in a delectable indie-pop shell.
While the tracks "Like You A Lot, Love You a Little" and "Take Me Away" have
been the radio favourites, this follow-up album is full of hit songs. Wake
Up & Dream incorporates distinct elements of the musical spectrum, ranging
from the infectious groove of "Only Us", the aggressive, hard-hitting
"Family Matters" to the airy, keyboard-kissed, acoustic alternative, "Dance
To Your Persuasion", a beautiful ballad about the peace process in Northern
Ireland. Diverse tracks such as the intoxicating love song "Heartstrings",
laden with swirling guitars; the surprising blues-inspired "Television"; and
the lush strings in "Girl I Used To Know" are sure to seduce any listener.
All in all, Wake Up & Dream is a sweet collection of bitter-innocent
melodies delivered with admirable simplicity and aplomb.
Local Ireland -
2000
"BRILLIANT TREES ‘LET IT ALL GO’ EP
(PLUSH VIBE)
by Daniel Hegarty
In many ways the Brilliant Trees can count themselves as one of the most
unlucky Irish bands of all time. After penning gems like ‘Talent’,
‘Heartstrings’ and ‘Town’, the Finglas quartet still find themselves
struggling for recognition outside of this country.
To their credit they’ve persevered and
haven’t given up when many others would have packed it in years ago. Their
story starts back in the early 1990s when they were tipped for greatness
along with others like The Cranberries and Therapy?
The ‘Let It All Go’ EP is their most
accomplished work to date and finds them moving up a number of levels. Not
only has the song writing improved, the four members sound more cohesive
than before.
Three of the five tracks (‘The Fall’,
‘Free’ & ‘Let It All Go’) could teach much of indie/pop’s notoriety a few
things, we’ll just have to wait and see how much good this will do for these
under-rated Dubliners.
Published by: Local Ireland
Year written: 2000
Copyright owned by: Daniel Hegarty
Irish Music Net -
January 1999
"Still dealing in simple indie-pop songs
with melodies you can actually hum along to, Dublin's Brilliant Trees follow
up the success of their Friday Night début disc with Wake Up & Dream, a
collection of eleven tracks designed to soothe most any furrowed
brow...Recorded in the mountains of Georgia (USA), Wake Up And Dream sees
the Trees branching out, bringing in American producers Steve Askew and Rick
Meyer, and session musicians that range from a brass section drawn from the
Atlanta Philharmonic to Joey Hoffman, formerly of Soul Asylum ..Stand out
tracks on an album of relationship tunes include, Like You A Lot, Love You A
Little (crazy title, crazy song), the acoustic beauty of Dance To Your
Persuasion and Girl I Used To Know. While many of their peers continue to
belt out three chord gormless guitar rock, the Trees at least have the
courage to write some decent tunes. So take their advice. Wake up and dream,
a little.."
Boston Pheonix -
Up And Coming - 1999
"If you put Billy Bragg, the Smiths, and
the Jam into a blender, you might begin to describe the Brilliant Trees
(from Dublin). Alan, the lead singer, has a voice that should melt the
hearts of many."
Angie C
"Asleep at the Wheel," WFNX |
