In the hip-hop world, Slick Rick is something of a legend, bringing the rhyme to the beat for well over two decades. So, it wouldn’t be a stretch to have an alt-country leaning indie rock band like The Dead Trees pay homage to the rap icon. Only, the track ‘Slick Rick’ has absolutely nothing to do with the MC formerly known as Richard Walters.
Instead, this LA-via-Portland-via-Boston quartet serves up a short and noisy folk-inspired number that ruminates on one of the many facets of that most universal theme; love. The kick and snare pulse in unison to the beat, a perfect pacesetter for a brisk walk outdoors on a cloudy day. Lyrics are presented in a deadpan drawl by singer Michael Ian Cummings, who narrates this tale of boy-meets-girl, pausing to let some slightly Country & Western influenced guitar licks add emotional texture to the arrangement.
The Dead Trees’ 2011 LP ‘Whatwave’ is available from the robber barons at the Apple iTunes store, and ‘Slick Rick’ can be found on a single from White Iris Records.
Joseph Avary
The Dead Trees – Slick Rick
More Info: Official
Buy Songs: The Dead Trees
Year: 2011
Poor copy of Motorcycle Emptiness