By: Christian Cullen, Staff Writer
Think back to Aug. 16 of this year. You were probably getting ready to come back to Xavier or may have already been here for Manresa. Life was busy, so I wouldn’t blame you for not listening to Flamingos in the Tree’s newest album, as it falls into place.
Not to be that guy, but Flamingos are a bit of an underground band. They are still pretty new as well; their earliest song on Spotify was released in 2020.
Even if they were formed in Nevada, you will definitely get some chill California vibes from them. So, while they are not super well known, they do their things well. You should definitely go check out the album.
The album begins with the best song of the album, “Words You Say.” A catchy tune with some well placed beat switches, this song sets the tone of the album. Daniel Escovar’s voice brings you that sort of feeling where the wind is running through your hair as you walk in the park on a nice Sunday afternoon.
The song seems to detail an argument between two people who are at least, intertwined. The main character of the song is forlorn, ending the story with their “heart breaking into two.” While they no longer have a heart, you’ll be bobbing your head to the sick tunes and the melody.
Next up is “Make You Smile,” with a nice hook and bridge section with the band singing “La la la.” While it sounds corny and weird when I type it out, it is actually quite pleasant when you listen to it.
There’s also “You Don’t Know Me. The song is a tale of woe as one tries to get their love, but alas it appears to not be in the cards for the main character. Maybe next time.
Now, I’ll admit that not every song on the album is one I enjoyed. “Strawberry Girl” is not for me. Think it is important to bring this up for two reasons:
One: We should not expect perfection from artists. Not every song needs to be a banger. It seems as though nowadays, if an album isn’t perfect from start to finish, there’s a lot of disappointment. And oftentimes, it ignores the songs that were quite good. We tend to fixate on the negatives and ignore the positives.
` Two: I think it is important to review bands that are a bit less known. Hopefully, they’ll get a new listener or two from this article. If you happen to find those bands without many listeners on Spotify, it is important to spread the word. If you want a vibrant music culture, then you have to put in the work. And if you disagree, as Escovar says in the first track, “I can’t hear the words you say….”
In terms of how this album compares to the full Flamingos in the Tree compendium, it’s solid but not their best. There isn’t a track that compares to “Take Me by the Hand,” but there are some songs here that I did add to my playlist. It’s definitely a step in the right direction for the band as they continue to grow. Unfortunately for me and you, dear reader, the only live shows they are playing are out West. So, if you want to go on a road trip, let me know!