Band: Tree House Fire
Release: Rocket (Album)
Release Date: Out Now
Politics does get to the stage of getting boring in everyday life, and yet music has the power to reignite a nation to yet again show their middle fingers to those in power. The Guildford reggae quintet, Tree House Fire, convey their hate through some fantastic lyrics and musicianship on their latest album ‘Rocket’ that everyone will be happily skanking to at a gig.
Opening with the happy instrumental of ‘Tree House Fire’, the band rip into ‘Straza Grip’ with a brilliant brass section and vocalist and guitarist Sam rapping at impressive speeds to more casual talking over Ant’s walking bass lines. ‘Boom Fire!’ is one of the most impressive tracks on the album, packed with political ranting and a singalong chorus that’s bound to turn a few heads, before exploding into the ska influenced ‘The Drop’.
The energy on the album is immense, before it slows down for ‘People’s Problems’ with Sam yet again stealing the limelight with yet more fascinating lyrics. The self-titled track ‘Rocket’ gives Sam a bit of a break, with Dai providing some pretty impressive saxophone skills, and Dash remaining present as always with the keys on hand. The album then takes a strange turn involving DJ Killer Tomato on ‘Great Ocean Road’, with irritating DJ scratches that oddly work, and Ant’s bass lines still being casual and yet intriguing. The energy and charisma then suddenly disappears over ‘Dub Playa’ and ‘Stack It Up High’ before making a comeback with ‘Kicking It Old School Kids’, before ending on the impressive ‘KMB’ and the Homeless Mix of ‘Smash Them Up High’.
Overall, this is an album filled with political ideas, but they find themselves to drag on into a tiresome state, yet the energy from the first tracks is not something to be dismissed. If that was more consistent then this album would be one to watch, but for now it’s one that has its moments.
7/10
Reviewer: Connor Flello
