Treehouse is the second album by the Canadian band the Grapes of Wrath, released in 1987 on Nettwerk.[1][2]
"Peace of Mind" was the band's first single to reach the RPM singles charts in Canada, peaking at No. 56.[3] "Backward Town" and "O Lucky Man" were also released as singles.
Production
The album was produced by Tom Cochrane.[3] However, he departed the project slightly before it was finished, after conflicting with engineer Ric Arboit over "Peace of Mind"; Cochrane disliked the song and wanted to stop working on it before Arboit or the band thought it was finished.[3] Arboit and Dave Ogilvie finished the final mixes.[3] Cochrane encouraged the band to use pedal steel and keyboards.[4]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [5] |
The Los Angeles Times wrote that the album "represents a nifty balancing act between harder-edged rock 'n' roll (courtesy of the Hooper brothers on bass and drums) and a more reflective and breezy folksiness."[1] The Kingston Whig-Standard noted that "the instrumental introduction to 'So Many Times' ends up taking up most of the song, but it's a wonderful blend of piano, organ and drums."[6] The Windsor Star called the album "peppy pop music reminiscent of the Mamas and the Papas and other late-'60s bands that blended folk and rock."[7] The Vancouver Sun deemed "Peace of Mind" "one of the cleanest, freshest songs of the year."[8]
Track listing
- "O Lucky Man" (3:26)
- "Backward Town" (4:06)
- "How Long" (3:04)
- "Very Special Day" (4:00)
- "Try" (3:30)
- "At Your Soul" (3:39)
- "Peace of Mind" (3:41)
- "Amused" (0:30)
- "Amused" (4:44)
- "So Many Times" (4:13)
- "Jewel in the Hand" (3:13)
- "Completely Lost" (4:33)
- "Run You Down" (2:41)
- "Seems Like Fate" (4:36)
References
- ^ a b Matsumoto, Jon (20 Sep 1987). "Nostalgia with a Fizz". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 97.
- ^ Dafoe, Chris (26 Nov 1987). "The Grapes of Wrath Treehouse". The Globe and Mail. p. A25.
- ^ a b c d Michael Barclay, Ian A.D. Jack and Jason Schneider, Have Not Been the Same: The Can-Rock Renaissance 1985-1995. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-55022-992-9.
- ^ Swaite, Lenny (9 Nov 1987). "Kelowna-bred Grapes branches east". Toronto Star. p. C1.
- ^ Woodstra, Chris. Treehouse at AllMusic
- ^ Burliuk, Greg (7 Nov 1987). "Treehouse The Grapes of Wrath". Magazine. The Kingston Whig-Standard. p. 1.
- ^ Shaw, Ted (13 Nov 1987). "No sour grapes in Kelowna bunch". Windsor Star. p. C4.
- ^ Mackie, Jon (11 Dec 1987). "Fine new artists give Canadian music a boost". Vancouver Sun. p. D10.
