Tree City

Robbers on High Street

This New York City-based band sounds a lot like Austin, TX-based Spoon. A lot. And seeing as this is their first full-length, and it’s rock music (so of course musical theft is involved to some degree), not to mention that Spoon is a pretty excellent band to start one’s career sounding like, the act will not be judged too harshly for sounding so much like Spoon. Even though they totally do, from singer Ben Trokan‘s wide-mouthed enunciation to the piano-driven, vaguely Beatles-y melodies, and rhythm-guitar heavy crunch. The production seems a bit slick, as if the group was going for some Interpol-type success, while the songs would perhaps be better served at a studio like Easley in Memphis. The lyrics are bright and not too serious ("Some things you can do in the city: walk around in circles/ meet Japanese girls"), while the band really plays these pretty waltz-pop songs well. Just, someone, anyone, please buy them some other records before they record again. The results are eagerly anticipated. --Mike McGonigal

Tree City Album: