[8.2.07]
"The intoxicating god complex that comes with much more talented and creative people than yourself asking for your opinion, your help, asking you to lead people to them, it's got one hell of a flip side: watching those eminently talented and creative people languish in obscurity, and wondering what more you could have done as the radio drones the aural abortions given the okay by the bottom line jockeys of the major labels. Usually, one can accept that; sometimes, one ends up breaking something. Witness Ample Branches, the burgeoning indie scene of Lawrence, Kansas's most inspired outfit to date, and their album True Vine, a playful, thoughtful and aggressive-to-a-fault album that reconciles college-town psychedelia, heartland rockabilly and maybe-acid-jazz-esque-sort-of instrumentals from God knows where in such a seamless and natural manner that you'll wonder, then ask, then scream why more music can't be like this. It won't be, and with rare and glorious exceptions it won't even try, but don't tell the Branches that; their earnest ambition and sixteen-track work ethic is a refresher course in the Tao of music.
The billion-odd influences that meld into True Vine hit you all at once, and on the very first track. "Soul Disciples" has more hooks than a pier full of fishermen and is just as relaxed and uplifting as the sound of the waves against its beams. While its two-minute instrumental detour after the first chorus might be a turnoff to casual listeners, the remarkable depth and breadth of these moments redeem them for those who seek their value. As addictive as "Soul Disciples" is, it's easily outshone by its follow-up. "Oversteppin," a Brit-rock/Delta blues fusion not unlike the height of the Invasion's top tracks, is the album's highlight and the shining example of the album's influences perfectly synthesized.
At this breakneck pace, the album could've fallen apart; the slower of "I Shot Myself Today" and "The Same Line" hold it together without losing the passion or artistry of their forbears. Where several artists either attempt to experiment and drown in self-consciousness or attempt to present a consistent effort and end up with a dozen identical offerings, True Vine manages an authenticity in every offering that makes each track at once unique and familiar, like a reunion of old friends with new stories.
As the middle section gets headier and more involved, one begins to notice that Ample Branches don't make themselves easy to love. Their willingness to experiment is admirable and enjoyable, but it's tough to find a song (save the aforementioned and the unforgettably catchy "Foxtress") that you'll want in regular rotation unless you're ready to explain the appeal to the uninitiated. True Vine doesn't attempt to hide its opinion of itself; the pretensions of its psychedelic bent aren't necessarily a burden, but it doesn't seem willing to cut back on the weird and just have fun; the somewhat saturated nature of every track leaves one wondering whether they meant it that way, or they just think they have to work harder than they do.
As the album draws toward a close, the complex turn of the back half doesn't wear off, but it gets more instrumental and less vocal. The highlight of the last third "Divulge/Never Mention" suggests a heretofore unheard influence, in "Divulge"'s simple melody and intense, almost frantic vocal, of early British metal, before cooling off into a somewhat alt-country (if alt-cowboys had organs) melody for "Never Mention". The album's best tracks are ahead of it, but this one's still worth a listen, if only as a somewhat strange experiment.
Ultimately, the burying this promising band and its spectacular debut will unfortunately suffer at the hands of increasingly anti-intellectual pop consciousness is not the worst turn of events. Perhaps a band's musicianship is more important than its financial standing (although convincing the five guys in a van that usually comprise our subjects of that might prove a challenge). At any rate, true musicianship is unmistakable, and Ample Branches, without question, has it from this, the get-go."