flamgirlant
The Poison Tree - “Welcome To The Neighborhood”
In high school I had a serious crush on my French teacher. I didn’t take French until my sophomore year, but caught on incredibly quickly. I threw off the curve. Mr. L and I would sit in the back of class playing Mille Bornes and talk in French about how stupid the rest of the kids were while they all retook the test they failed but I aced. He skipped me ahead a year. My efforts overreached my abilities but he encouraged it. I dreamed in French. My major first time through college, thanks to him.
He was tall and blonde. Occasional mustache or beard. He had a bit of a mullet and it was often permed. He wore Zubaz. And ugly Cosby sweaters. But oh, was he dry. And sarcastic. Passionate. Funny.
He’d play music while we took tests or worked on projects. When it wasn’t French music, it was Harry Chapin.
Steve Salett and The Poison Tree remind me of Harry Chapin. Seemingly simple melodies full of depth. Songs you’ll find yourself humming under your breath without knowing. A rich, unassuming voice that can catch you off guard.
I’m charmed.
I bet Mr. L would love this.
The Poison Tree - “Never Know Me”
The Poison Tree has been a bit of a creeper for me. I wouldn’t have given them a second look if it weren’t for the stunning video for “My Only Friend” which uses the opening scene of Orson Welle’s Touch of Evil as footage. Their name alone makes me think of a band that would find company with Switchfoot, Three Days Grace or Nickleback. In other words, SO not my bag.
But no, this band is good. And the more I listen to their s/t release from March, the more I like it. The Poison Tree is a project of Steve Salett - the frontman from King of France. That doesn’t mean anything to me, but maybe it means something to you. Thanks to this video I do know that this Steve fella looks darned tasty all disheveled in a cabled sweater. I’m partial to men in cables.
The Poison Tree - “My Only Friend”
Good night, my friends.
