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Screaming Trees - Sweet Oblivion
Screaming Trees are notable for their light-hearted/mildy psychedelic take on grunge. They've done that since their first releases. Sweet Oblivion is one of the later ones, probably their best one.
What makes Sweet Oblivion so unique is that their Staley style backing vocals and unique guitar sounds clearly make this album grunge, but the sound is combined with the lightly dugged up cheeriness of neo-psychedelia, bringing in a happier vibe than what grunge's scene is known for. Still, Mark Lanegan's vocal style tells you he's been listening to country/folk/americana all his life. In fact, his solo albums are those. As such, his voice shares a sadness with the listener that tells you the band or an individual of it is in some kind of pain despite the happy sound. Sweet Oblivion is the best example of this. The band doesn't try to hide Lanegan's sadness with ubpeat cymbals and tambourines. So Screaming Trees are a pleasant, calm yin and yang. And the lyrical style seems to fit the americana influence on Lanegan. Take the lyrics of Winter's Song. Dead end street, just out my back door I heard what's seen, a young girl laughing Now raindrops fall away like souls I wondered if she ever heard mine dying Those would fit a country album, right? And now matter how cheery or upbeat the music gets, the singer is annoyed, angry, and sad. And it all fits so well. Screaming Trees are rarely different with each album. But Sweet Oblivion is a fine example of the conflict of emotion. 90/100. Almost as good as Nevermind. |
Hi,
I'm just so pleased to recognize a band who I like mentioned here!! I've found some; not many, i.e. Kasabian. I don't have Sweet Oblivion, but have Nearly Lost You (EP or CD; not sure which it's considered) which has title track + All I Know...somehow, I'd actually remembered those songs when I heard them again in early 00's or 10's. Agree w/you re: M. Lanegan/L. Staley vocal-style, although Staley could really reach some high notes! Very fine representation of Screaming Trees, who should've reached much greater audiences, but for being put in grunge category, coming up at that time, but having harder rock sounds w/psychedelic leanings. I think I've read that Screaming Trees also didn't get much MTV rotation b/c it was felt the guitarists were a bit too scary-looking(?) Don't really "get" that, since many of the grunge &/or metal music vids. were kinda scary/disturbing/depressing. Who else do you listen to? Since you're finding Americana in Screaming Trees, do ya by any chance like Social Distortion (asking 'bout them, since they-very originally, IMO-combine punk w/rockabilly) |
TFW you thought JGuy had posted for the first time in two years. :(
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So, not so friendly a forum; glad you had a laugh at my expense and posted it for all, instead of PMing. Hope such pettiness boosted your self-esteem. Not nice. Lesson learned. Hope others here are kinder than you.
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TIL-Okay. I'm new here. In my defense, the way I understand, TFW is a term that can convey ridicule and the frown emoji was included. I realize some people come to forums having no issue w/starting and/or engaging in arguments, and I've seen enough erupt in youtube comments to know better. Just gotta ignore.
After posting reply, I did remember seeing new posts to OP's elsewhere and that reopened a thread. I'm pretty sure that's what I must've been hoping for. Not looking to get "into" anything with anybody here; I came here really hopeful for finding another way of discovering new (or new to me) music and discussing, so I reach out where I see a band I like, or have liked; that's all. NBD. |
JGuy is a former member who's always good for a laugh and I was happy thinking he'd come back. Now I'm sad.
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D&G. I'm sorry you're disappointed about JGuy. I'd been happy to find any band here that I'd recognized; that's all-NBD.
Windsock. Don't really understand your issue. Merry Christmas. |
Cool beans, cuz.
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