Take Me To The Trees

Modern English - Take Me To The Trees [IKMME 01 CD UK 2016 FLAC]

A welcome return to form after years in the wilderness, and thankfully a modern cd which isn't compressed to death.

From the internet...

Take Me to the Trees is the first new album from Modern English in 30 years that features four-fifths of the original lineup: Robbie Grey (vocals), Michael Conroy (bass guitar), Gary McDowell (guitar), and Steve Walker (keyboards). The album was made possible through a fundraising project launched in October 2015 on PledgeMusic. In many ways, the ten new songs on Take Me to the Trees are a return to the roots of Modern English. Several tracks on the album, most notably the opener ("You're Corrupt"), are reminiscent of Mesh and Lace's rougher, raw sound with its vocal production, heavy guitars and percussion. 

On the whole, the band sounds pretty amazing on their return to the studio. Trees (from which the album title is taken) is a smooth listen with an overall sound that reminds me a lot of late-eighties Wire. Sweet Revenge is the current teaser track for the album and is representative of the album's more accessible, rock-oriented side. Other standout tracks include I Feel Small (catchy and melodic, with a clever guitar riff that introduces and carries on throughout the song), Something's Going On (slower-paced, mysterious, great bass riff) and Come Out of Your Hole (minimal and thoughtful, building melody and emotion as it progresses).

In addition to the musical style, Take Me to the Trees demonstrates a few other returns to the band's roots. Throughout the mid-80's, Modern English were signed to UK independent label 4AD Records, whose legendary in-house graphic designer, Vaughan Oliver (23 Envelope) was responsible for creating the visual side of the band, producing album and single sleeves and labels that are stunning works of art in themselves. The album artwork is once again designed by Vaughan Oliver. If you're a fan of 4AD/v23/Vaughan Oliver's graphic design, do yourself a favor and buy the 180g coloured vinyl version this album. The artwork is brilliant - nothing but the best from this artistic genius. The 4AD connection continues as the album was co-produced by Martyn Young (of Colourbox and M/A/R/R/S). 

01 You're Corrupt
02 Trees
03 Moonbeam
04 Something's Going On
05 Dark Cloud
06 Sweet Revenge
07 I Feel Small
08 Come Out Of Your Hole
09 Flood Of Light
10 It Don't Seem Right