An Ode To Stephen Stills

Treetop Flyers 2009 E.P, 'To Bury The Past', was a dusty country-rock debut that bought the eucalyptus trees and the stoned air of passed joints of Laurel Canyon to British shores.

It's enigmatic woos of 'Deja Vu', harmoniously rinsed through the shadows of a post-Manson L.A were oddly British with a clear adoration for a scene that spawned the infamous troubadours of the early seventies acoustic boom. There are inflictions of both Browne and Taylor throughout 'To Bury The Past', with the homely 'Old Days' beaming like 'Sweet Baby James' through the overcast English coast.

Two years later, the Treetop Flyers released their 2011 effort, 'Things Will Change'. While their debut was reflective of their hero, Stephen Stills, and his earlier work with Crosby and co. 'Things Will Change' mirrors both his and their progression in the form of Stills 21 track monster, 'Manassas'.

Standing at only four tracks it's obviously not a comparison in any literal sense. Given free reigns as the 'boss' on 'Manassas', Stills was devoid of Crosby's prying ego and the unpredictability of Young, thus thriving in a creative hub that he could truly call his own.



While ambitious and a little limp in parts, for the majority, 'Manassas' is a throbbing rock and roll sandstorm of burning guitar riffs and insightful lyricism that's as open as anything Stills have penned before or since. 'Colorado' is a heart-wrenching, mountain-trawling country hum of husky refinement. 'How Far' and 'Song of Love' blister with a glare that scours into the soul of rock and roll, completely dismantling it and rearranging it into dusty, country mannerisms that seem subdued but equally ache with the fervor that burned beneath Stills hunger to succeed.

'Things Will Change' mirrors this with eclecticism and hunger.

'Long Cold Winter', in particular, is more of what we want to see from the Treetop Flyers. It's soulful verses ebb and flow with winking pop-like hints, while the chorus' flicker through eager rockin' hooks and straining vocals. I think we can expect a stunning record from these guys, especially if these two E.P's are anything to go by...

Treetop Flyers- Long Cold Winter by Maludo