Forest for the Trees [EXPLICIT LYRICS] [IMPORT]

Forest For The Trees

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 9, 1997)
• Original Release Date: September 9, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics, Import
• Label: Universal Import
• ASIN: B000005ALR
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #118,657 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Dream

2. Infinite Cow

3. Fall

4. You Create the Reason

5. Tree

6. Wet Paint

7. Stream

8. Ohm

9. Algorithm

10. Green Light Street

11. Planet Unknown

12. Thoughts in My Head

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Forest for the Trees architect Carl Stephenson cowrote "Loser" with Beck and coproduced Mellow Gold. The best song on this debut, "Dream," is a five-minute wonder: a killer bagpipe riff, some stray sitar, a hip hop-inspired beat, and a creamy pop chorus. The lyrics are supremely silly, but it doesn't matter much; it's so shamefully infectious you can be forgiven for loving--or hating--it. Beyond "Dream," Forest for the Trees is a heavily-stitched quilt of processed vocals, programmed drum beats, guitar that ranges from metal to flamenco, and new age mutterings that don't quite cover the skeletons posing as songs. "Infinite Cow" is a nursery rhyme masquerading as Eastern mysticism, and "Tree" has lyrics that would make Jonathan Richman cringe: "Hey, tree--won't you talk to me?/I can see you breathing." Unlike Beck's Odelay, Forest for the Trees is a musical hybrid that never quite takes. Or rather, it only succeeds completely on one song. --Keith Moerer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the only true philisophical albums in existence, October 14, 2003

By	Kenny E Guthrie (Salt Lake City, Utah United States) - See all my reviews

Like many people I had heard the catchy `Dream' single when it got a lot of play on MTV, back in 97. But unlike most, I have been privileged to hear all of his other wonderful and mind expanding songs on the album. This album has been one of my true loves throughout all of my musical experiences, and I can safely say it always will be. As stated above, this is one of the only true philosophical albums I have ever come across. The theories and ideas expressed throughout the entire CD will not only challenge you to focus on the intricate melding between the lyrics and the amazing sampling, but also to think of greater possibilities about life and the universe as a whole. This album did not receive the recognition it truly deserves, but then again, I think it works on a higher level then what most of us are used to.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars it's a shame, November 24, 2002

By	Darwin C. Green (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was really surprised to see the negative reviews of this album. Sure not all the songs are not as accessible as Dream might be, but overall I really enjoy listening to the creative ramblings that this album goes through. As for people not liking the lyrics it's sad to see so many people judge them so harshly. Radiohead and Nirvana and even the Doors have lyrics that don't make "sense", but they're still cool to listen to. It's a shame that more people don't have a more open mind for these kinds of things. It's a great album if you're into fun experimental music.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly cool and complex music, November 20, 1998

By A Customer

I picked up this CD because I loved "Dream" and my local DJ was getting tired of my constant pestering for him to play it. I was greatly impressed. Every song on this CD is incredibly complex, with samples, processed vocals, and neato instruments like sitar and bagpipes weaving in and out. Perhaps the greatest is the sample of a "Speak and Spell" on "Infinite Cow." Every time I listen to this album--and it begs you to listen closely--I hear something new spliced in there. This album is probably not for the average modern-rock fan, but is a welcome sign that heavily electronicized music can really be creative and interesting.