The Dead Trees -‘Whatwave.’ (Affairs Of The Heart)

Ever wondered what would happen if Stephen Malkmus got together with Vampire Weekendand the two acts decided to cut a record? No? Well, nor had I, to be honest (but then I’m still taken aback at the news that Lou Reed has recorded an album with Metallica).

But that’s what this album is like, on first impression, if perhaps minus some of the Graceland stylings. It’s a short album at only thrity minutes -but none the worse for that. ‘Slow faze fast’ and ‘My time has just begun’ sound like indie classics already. ‘Play Your Hand’ and ‘Mexican Politics’ sound rather different from the rest of the album, a bit more like Jackson Browne fronting a seventies California rock band.

Having given a few listens to this over the last few weeks, it gets the thumbs up, and I’ll be inetersted to hear more of their music.

***1/2

Whatwave is out now on Affairs Of The Heart.

Stream most of the tracks over at the band’s myspace