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Who told that Sweden is famous only for the death metal bands? Here we have a bright exception. This band is deeply imbibed by the 70ties rock style. Rich keyboards, slide guitars, nostalgic melodies, peculiar, surrealist names (starting from the strange name of the band: "Josh's Appletree", release: "Atomic Fruit", and track titles such as "Garish Gas", "Groovy Space Chick", "Tombstone Rider"). If you ask your friends after having listened this: "When do you think has this been released?", I bet the most probable answer would be "30 years ago".
The band started as a fun thing in May 2003. The main thing was to jam, create songs and have fun. Fancy to have taken it more seriously what would have happened!
The first impression is that sound like "the younger Swedish cousins of Deep Purple", especially the keyboard player should have had Jon Lord as his teenage idol. For example the beginning of the "Garish Gas" resembles the respective of "Hush" or the riffs of "Hangman" are influenced by "Smoke in the Water" and many other numerous cases. I am curious to learn what would be the reactions of Deep Purple members (former and current) if they listen to this!
However after a more careful approach one could notice that they step with one foot on Deep Purple and so tradition and with the other one on the other 70ties bands like Free ( see "Mr. Lizard", "Charismatic Woman" tracks) and but also on modern quality A.O.R bands and may be a bit on Spiritual Beggars at their softer moments. The singer's voice has something from Ian Gillan and Paul Rodgers.
The compositions, although based on well known forms, are catchy, solid, very powerful and pleasant to be listened. The musicians are gifted, talented and unfold flawlessly their music abilities. The only disadvantage is that some songs become a bit boring especially the last ones like "Hear Me Moan", "Plain and Foxy" and "Devil's Machine", which is long and contains protracted "dialogues" between guitar and keyboards. One could also argue that the repetition of well known musical forms might be boring. When a band plays based on nice and very beloved but recognisable melodies looses novelty.
But even imitating Deep Purple and 70ties sound nowadays, that we are infested by numerous talentless bands, is something important. At least it is an indication of music skills. Let alone that Josh's Appletree have strong compositions (not very original actually) and musical variety. The more I listen to them, the more I trace new elements among the well known patterns. I am eager to listen to their second release and hope to go even further away by adding more personal elements in their music.
Deep Purple and 70ties Rock fans (and not only) should check this band imminently!
| Tracklist |
| 1. Garish Gas |
| 2. Tracks Of The Blues |
| 3. The Hard Road |
| 4. Groovy Space Chick |
| 5. The Deal |
| 6. Mr Lizard |
| 7. Charismatic Woman |
| 8. Rock'n Roll Star |
| 9. Tombstone Rider |
| 10. Theme Of Josh's Appletree |
| 11. Hear Me Moan |
| 12. Plain And Foxy |
| 13. Hangman |
| 14. Devil's Machine |
: 60.47
| Buy other Josh's Appletree albums |
