Thee High Trees - House of Rapture

London’s Thee High Trees (Forest Hill to be exact) are comprised of Drummer Jon Steele (Teiger, ex-State River Widening), Bassist/Samples - Jason Bootle (ex-IINVIISIIBLES, ex-Abdoujaparov/Who’s The Daddy Now?), Guitarist - Jim Hounsell and Vocalist/Percussionist Gianinna Delpino.

House of Rapture marks the band’s full-length debut and follows last year’s ‘I walk the pavement in search of your love’, and ‘The Dream of a Man’ standalone singles, appearances on the 2024 GD - TSM – THT and Losing your mind is the answer compilations, finally there’s the Diplomatico EP, as well as the ‘One bold move can change your life forever’ and ‘We never ever feel like a fully fledged adult’ standalone singles, all from 2023. I got contacted by Jason from the band at the end of June on Instagram following my review of his friend Dez Dare’s latest release These Days Are Wild & Blind for The Sleeping Shaman and promised him a write-up. Now that I’m a little more settled in my new home, I’m at long last able to fulfil that promise, so here I am..

There are four tracks on the album which commences with its longest, ‘Ghost Dance’ at over fifteen minutes long. The Vocals are haunting, think a mix of The Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Fraser and Folk legend Sandy Denny. Musically its very Bass driven, though thankfully not the over the top obnoxious type common with bands such as the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Primus, instead there’s a repetitively minimalist Post-Punkstrain (think Peter Hook) and Guitar work that’s imbued with a hypnotic Space-Rock vibe ala Hawkwind’s ‘Hurry On Sundown’ or even Monster Magnet’s epic Tab. Bewitching and enchanting throughout despite itsrunning time and a superb start to the record. ‘Thee High Trees Rid The World Of Evil Vampires’ by comparison is sinister sounding and features extensive samples from the artist Francis Bacon who from what I can gather was to the right politically. The music is terrific; eerie, ominous Post-Rock and Synth work straight out of a John Carpenter movie, think Starman or maybe even Prince of Darkness. In other words there’s a very soundtracky feel here, one could even argue progressive but more along the lines of Italians Goblin with its focus on atmosphere than virtuosity (some would say wankery). A very cool number which prospective filmmakers should definitely pick up on.

‘Sleep’ is another lengthy piece but one with more of an ‘Indie’ sensibility, the band that comes to mind immediately is Sonic Youth, the Vocals baring a definite similarity to that band’s Thurston Moore. There is also a dreaminess to the track which one would associate with Galaxie 500 who in turn were inspired by The Velvet Underground. There is a whimsicality here HOWEVER the music is so well performed and creative that it manages to avoid the pitfalls of being too twee and overly earnest. A welcome contrast to its predecessors. What do you get when you cross Klaus Schulze, Cluster, Ash Ra Tempel and Dub Music,‘Nothing Absolutely’ is your answer. The whole effect is a myriad of weird and wondrous sounds which burrow their way deep into your consciousness and probably even subconscious. For those investing huge sums in buddhist style retreats in search of spiritual rejuvenation, you’ll be better served listening to this instead, plus you’ll have the added advantage of not having to sit through New Age music, a stunning conclusion.

House of Rapture is not just musically satisfying, it's also soul enriching, in that you actually feel better from having listened to it. Check it out, now!