The Dreaming Tree
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The Dreaming Tree

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"The Dreaming Tree Album Review: "Grafting lines & spreading rumours""

“The first full length album form Wolverhampton’s The Dreaming Tree is an interesting affair. They play progressive rock, very much in the neo-progressive mould of such bands as The Gift or Product. They concentrate on songs rather than going for twenty minute prog epics, although they do occasionally get close to the ten-minute mark.

There are a variety of influences on show, from the reggae tinged “The Changeling” tot he laid back almost lounge style intro of “(The Roads Down Which Our) Dreams and Shadows Drive.” This is certainly not a band that is scared of trying something different.
For my money it is the longer songs that work best, particularly “Static” where the band draw things out a little and get, almost, into Dream Theatre Territory. This track also allows guitarist Dan Jones to do his impression of David Gilmour on the intro, and very good it is too.

For the most part, this album is a pretty mellow affair, in fact I couldn’t help wishing they’d get going a bit, have a couple of double espressos before going into the studio, that kind of thing. But no, they appear to be strictly decaf.” Martin Howell

- Powerplay


"The Dreaming Tree: "Grafting lines & spreading rumours""

“This British outfit essentially is an alternative-flavoured rock band with progressive tendencies. The emphasis isn’t so much on extensive solos or thematic movements as about inserting a subtle meter change or production flourish within the context of a song.

Take the lead track “Ring”, for example. The song kicks things off with a driving beat supported by strong choral hooks and tasteful piano - nothing too challenging. “Changeling” follows with a brisk reggae like pace that establishes a different angle once again. Other standout moments include the intricate syncopation, dramatic vocals and layered guitars of “Ashes”, the superb vocal harmonies in “The Best Kind Of (The Alcohol Song),” and the mellow/jazzy vibe of “Dreams and Shadows”.

The fellows in The Dreaming Tree truly have adopted the ethic of checking one’s ego at the door and, consequently, really function well as a unit. - Eric Harabadian”

- Progression (USA)


Discography

Self Titled EP: The Dreaming Tree

Full Electric Album: Grafting Lines & Spreading Rumours

Acoustic Album: Unplugged One: How to sound good naked

Both full albums have featured on internet radio stations and national radio such as Rock 24/7 - ARFM - Planet Rock - Radio Caroline - Get Ready To Rock - BBC Radio Shropshire - BBC WM.

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Bio

A UK based Progressive Pop/Rock band with a sound rich in dynamics and wry with an impelling quirkiness. With influences ranging from Led Zeppelin to Spock’s Beard, to Stevie Wonder and Leonard Cohen, their latest album, the acoustic based ‘How To Sound Good Naked’, has been released…Recorded again at their own Tree house Studio, the latest project came about as a reaction to playing gigs promoting 2007’s ‘Grafting Lines and Spreading Rumours’ album. Many smaller venues demanded smaller, acoustic based setups, that forced the band to adapt many of the songs and approaches that had been used previously. The result was a sound the band felt deserved to be recorded and put out on its own merits.

The album was recorded very much with a live feel, in an attempt to capture the nature of the gigs which gave birth to the songs and sounds. Using more organic instruments like upright bass, acoustic guitars and mandolins, the tracking took place from August through to the beginning of October, in and around the band’s commitments to playing shows. Mixing was completed during November, and the final CD released on December 15th 2008.

The band began in earnest in 2003/04 when Chris Buckler and Neil Ablard met Dan Jones on a sound engineering course. This led to Dan being invited to join the guitar-less band that Chris and Neil had been playing in, along with Jim Peterson and Steve Barratt. The resultant clash of musical ideals spewed forth a frenzied writing spree, with songs running a gamut of styles emerging from the band’s rehearsal room. A selection of four of these songs made it onto The Dreaming Tree’s first recorded output, the self-titled EP that was recorded at Lakeside Studios in Sandwell, Birmingham.

Throughout the rest of 2004 and into 2005, the band played as many shows as they could, all whilst continuing to write new music, with an amassed total of over 30 songs. They concentrated on building a good live platform, and deliberately tested themselves and their material in a variety of settings, from larger, fully electric shows through big PA stacks, to unplugged acoustic shows, sometimes stripping the songs down to only guitar and vocals. Any chance to play they took, and in any format, be it with 2, 3, 4 or all 5 of the band. This led to developing an almost improvisational style live, with sets often featuring jams that could take any twist and turn.

During 2006, the band decided to expand on their rehearsal space by constructing their own studio. After that was complete, the task of recording the album to document the last two years’ worth of songs began. The resultant disc, ‘Grafting Lines And Spreading Rumours’ features modern pop/rock songs, through longer, more grandiose progressive songs, up to stomping full-force rock, with plenty of other styles sneaking in to leave subtle marks on the songs. The finished work is undoubtedly a true reflection of the varied tastes and influences of this remarkable
band.

The band are now looking to move into 2009 promoting the new album through yet more performances on the road, and looking ahead to recording their next album later in the year.