This webpage was designed to be a source of information about the greatest band ever, And Also the Trees. Included is the COMPLETE And Also the Trees lyrics, from the first release all the way through 1998's Silver Soul. Other And Also the Trees sites can be found in the Links section of the page, but I believe this is the only American fansite. More than anything, this is my offering to the band, who's music has moved me since the day I first heard Scarlet Arch. Please take a moment to sign and view the guestbook -- it's here for a reason. AATT is not the most popular band in the world, (honestly, they have been undeservedly overlooked for the most part) and the guestbook provides a list of fans that can be contacted with information, etc. I recommend to any visitor to this page who is not on the AATT e-list to subscribe. The information is on the Switchblade Paradise european fanpage.
The lyrics included in this page are presented ver batum, that is, as they are sung by Simon Huw Jones. This may conflict occaisionally with what is printed in the albums liner notes. So if you cross-reference the lyrics with those found in your cd liner notes and find a mismatch, don't hate mail me. All the lyrics are correct.
And Also the Trees are:
Simon Huw Jones: Vocals and Lyrics
Justin Jones: Guitars and Keys
Nick Havas: Drums
Steven Burrows: Bass and Trumpet
And occaisionally:
Mark Tibenham: Keys
Will Waghorn: Trumpet
and Paul Hill: Drums.
Since the bands conception in the early eighties, And Also the Trees have been making some of the most honest, dramatic, and breathtaking music ever. Simon Huw Jones' emotive voice and distinctly rural English lyrics bring to life the mental landscape of need and solitude, dipping from joy to despair and back again seamlessly. His words are a visual and sensual assault, with such richly written songs as Scarlet Arch, Gone... Like the Swallows, and The Obvious. His words ride the swells and ebbs of his brother, Justin Jones' singularly uniqe and self-taught guitar playing. Blended with the quick-heartbeat bass of Steven Burrows and the precise and powerful drums of Nick Havas, the music is nothing less than aural bliss.
The band had trouble early in their career getting signed to a label, often dismissed as a Cure knockoff. (AATT's first tour was actually opening for the Cure, and band members produced the first AATT releases. This probably had much to do with it.) Nothing is farther from the truth. In fact, AATT probably had more influence over the Cure than vise versa. Shadows of Justin Jones' guitar playing can be heard on such Cure classics as Just Like Heaven and Fascination Street. AATT was also responsible for a large part of the writing for Pornography. And it was also AATT who recorded The Renegade, based on Camus' novel, long before the Cure pressed Killing and Arab, based on Camus' The Stranger. Coincidence? Less than likely.
The band has long left behind their original gothic musical style, opting instead for 50's and blues influenced melancholia. The newer albums are aglow with neon and desert sunrises, and the music, however different, still has the power to move the listener to emtional extremes with its tenacity and heartfelt sadness and joy. Hammond organs and soft trumpets slide where violins were once threading, and And Also the Trees has once again succeeded in transcending the confines of genre.
AATT have evolved into one of modern music's most unique and visionary bands, releasing records for almost two decades. Underappreciated in the music world, And Also the Trees have probably found most of their support from their long time listeners and die-hard fans. It is not uncommon to meet someone who loves the band, and who has for ten years or more. It is my hope that they will continue to produce music for another 20 years.
The Links contained here are for helping to find AATT releases via the web. I make no assurances as to the validity of the merchants selling these items, nor do I endorse any of them personally, save for the comments I make next to the link. As with all online shopping, remember to use your best judgement and common sense above all, and do not issue your credit card number to any source that seems less than trustworthy. These links are provided here for you to use, and I have no connection with any of the merchants whatsoever.
