Review: Clairvoyance

It's a treat for Screaming Trees fans who have been wishing they could buy the Trees debut LP without resorting to high priced used vinyl from eBay. Back in 1986 they released Clairvoyance and started down a very different path from the rest of their grunge (lord, how I hate that word) peers. It starts with a psychedelic-fueled bang as "Orange Airplane." From there it's the highs and lows that you might expect from a bunch of guys in their early twenties who are putting out their first full-length album.

It has a distinctly 60's vibe, both in the style of music and in the production values. It's all guitars, drums, and bass with the occasional organ to break things up. The late-eighties early-nineties sound, for most people, is Soundgarden and Alice in Chains style muddy, hard rock. For the Trees, it was less Sabbath and more like the Doors meet garage rock--keep the weird vibe, but lose the lounge singer on acid antics and the demented lyrics, then make it faster and a little messier.

One of the great things about the album is that Lanegan's voice--although it hadn't yet mellowed into the gruff, low, and rocky wonder that it is now--is still distinct and strong. Amidst some songs that just aren't that good are some real gems, and Gary Lee Connor's guitar is better than you'd expect.

Low points are the "You Tell Me These Things" and the forgettable "Forever." It's not so much that the songs are that bad, but just that they slip right past you without making an impression.

But what makes this trip to the 80's worth the trip is the rock drive of "Orange Airplane," the spacey fun of "I See Stars," and the truly Doors moment (even to the cheesy story-telling, spoken word lyrics) of "Strange Out Here." Members of the Trees faithful will also notice the presence of "The Turning," a song from their '85 EP, Other Worlds.

This early slice of the Trees isn't what anyone would call a great release, but it has surprisingly good moments. Even though it feels dated now, it would probably have felt dated and strange back in the 80's: this was a post-punk statement rendered in psychedelic colors. The best of the Trees' psychedelic beginnings was Buzz Factory, but Clairvoyance is a fun trip for people who might be missing that overblown, media-driven moment that made grunge a household word.

Posted by zombyboy at January 28, 2005 10:35 AM