Actual Re-Enactment
With this posthumous release, Treepeople bids a fond adieu. In five years of tumultuous existence they gave us some amazing albums. In fact, their first two CDs,Guilt, Regret & EmbarrassmentandSomething Vicious for Tomorrow(which includes their hard-to-find first EP,Time Whore), are arguably two of the most detailed and fascinating pop punk records to come out of the Northwest. Unfortunately, inner turmoil eventually splintered Treepeople, and with the departure of guitarist/vocalist Doug Martsch they lost the tension, chemistry, and, most of all, the incredible songwriting he brought to the band.On Treepeople's first full-length record without Martsch, they're a pale imitation of the band that once was. Guitarist Scott Schmaljohn, the last remaining original member, provides the only link to their glorious past. While Schmaljohn's songwriting, singing, and playing continue to improve, his new sidekick, guitarist/vocalist Jon Polle, is no Doug Martsch, although he provides a couple of nice ditties. This band established such a distinct identity for itself in the past that on this album it seems trapped by that identity.Actual Re-enactmentsounds like four guys trying to make a Treepeople record. On the upside, it's head and shoulders above a lot of indie rock. It may not be a great Treepeople record, but it certainly offers an inspiring set of tunes and is no doubt an indication of more good things to come from Schmaljohn and Polle's new band, Stuntman.--Adem Tepedelen