Treefort is celebrating their 10th Anniversary by preparing to release a new album called "Talking to the Dogs."

HERE'S A REVIEW of their first CD, GIRLS ALLOWED:
from "VMag"
February 2000
review by Mal Thursday

Western Massachusetts has certainly made its contributions to the Y'Alternative/No Depression school of country rock. Bands like The Lonesome Brothers, Ware River Club, and Drunk Stuntmen have followed a trail blazed by the likes of Ray Mason Band and Scud Mountain Boys. Treefort's first album, Girls Allowed, positions them somewhere between the aforementioned bands and the twisted rockabilly of Angry Johnny.

Like the other local alt-country/roots-rock bands, Treefort can pick it; their mix of acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, and banjo is authentically down home without being self-conscious, at times even pretty ("Darrin"). What sets them apart is their main songwriter, Paul Hansbury, and his unique vocal delivery. What he lacks in natural ability and technical prowess he makes up for with deadpan humor and no-bullshit honesty. Sure, he's no Pavarotti, but his occasional flat notes are part of a Western Mass musical tradition that has produced such crooners as J Mascis and Steve Westfield.

For newcomers, Hansbury's singing may be an acquired taste. For fans of Treefort's oft-inebriated live shows, the record offers definitive versions of the band's best known songs in an intimate, live in the living room ambience. Sing-along favorites "Brockton," "Parking Valet," and the absurd "Idi Amin Dada" are among the longtime set-list staples kindly included on Girls Allowed. "Jackie and John" details a working class wedding reception: "I got some napkins said 'Jackie and John' on 'em / Didn't get no matches, they couldn't afford 'em." My personal favorite on the record is "Wimbledon": "I'll never play Wimbledon, baby / I'll never hold that golden bowl / My name will never be engraved on the Stanley Cup / I'll never figure out the pick and roll..." It's lonesome genius.

Though it's clearly Hansbury's record, it's also a band record. The musical contributions of such heavies as Matt Hebert (Ware River Club), Marc Turcotte (Slow Band), and multi-instrumentalist Bob Hennessy combine to make Treefort monsters of Twang. At times, they achieve a laid back Basement Tapes-era Dylanesque flavor, while at others they recall the shit-kicking cow-punk of the Knitters.

Treefort has a lot of really funny songs, but that doesn't make them a novelty act. They also have a lot of really great songs. Though often perceived as sort of a scruffy kid brother to the more established bands with whom they share members, with this album Treefort proves themselves to be legitimate players in the Valley's Alt-Country Army.

Discography | catalog | audio

#BT-TF01 | GIRLS ALLOWED | CD, released 1999