UK based band The Treat's second release, Phonography (Rockular Recordings) has a decidedly '60's & '70's feel to it, complete with vinyl static as the first song, "Fanfare For The King" begins.
The Oxford band tries to blend Power Pop, Psychedelic and almost a Glam flavor within the 12 tracks (along with a couple of bonus songs), but tends to miss the mark. Steeped more in eclectic adventures than solid songwriting, the Psychedelic side of The Treat is more prevalent and actually quite boring. Their songwriting is marketed as their strength and I just don't hear it. Songs like "Meadowland" are bubble gum fluff and with the whiny vocals it is annoying at best. Picture a Bob Dylan singing with King Crimson covering a song by the Faces. Not a pretty picture.
The Treat's Phonography is a miss on all counts. They went for a vibe of Rock from a time gone by and were not able to re-create it. Vocals are sub par at best and there isn't much musicianship to really speak of, but their effort is there, it's just not great is all. This CD is quite simply boring and very unmemorable.
Track Listing
- Fanfare For The King
- Make You Crawl
- The Deathday Parties
- Bolivian Diary
- Roaming
- Meadowland
- Haitian Mourning Dress
- Too Late
- Clutching At Jagged Glass
- Effervescence
- Black Cat Whites
- Erased