The Album Reviews:

	Title: The January Tree Artist: Dead Soul Tribe Label: InsideOut Music America Release Date: 8/31/04	Judgment Committee Reviews	Rating
			3
			4
			4
Read the Review of A Murder of Crows Official Website for this Artist Discuss on the Metal Judgment Web Board Submit/Read Reader Reviews of this Album

Abyss's Review:
This is my first experience with Dead Soul Tribe, which seems to be basically a one-man show in the form of Devon Graves. Mr. Graves plays almost every instrument on the record and sings as well, using a subtle and soothing voice, something almost completely alien to these metal-scarred eardrums. The music of Dead Soul Tribe is that of a progressive slant, and while there are some heavier parts, this album is much closer to 'rock' than 'metal.'

"One word review: Fresh (but still not for me)."

Of course, that being said, it obviously isn't really my thing. I can count the progressive metal bands I like on one hand. In fact, I'd still have a few fingers left over for the even fewer progressive rock bands that I like. Add to this the fact that this record is far from aggressive, utilizes soft-sung, almost sensitive vocals, as well as sappy-existentialist lyrics, and it's no wonder why I wouldn't like this album . . . I'm just not a member of its target audience.
And while I must admit that the chances of me coming back to this album with any regularity are slim to none, I have no desire to overly critique it. I mean, it is really cheesy in some ways, (but hell - most of the music I listen to is cheesy in one way or another) but at the same time there isn't much for me to like here, there's simply nothing for me to hate either. While there is no doubt that Devon Graves is a talented individual, at no time during the length of this disc is that smashed in your face. Each instrument is content with doing its part rather than taking a shot at the limelight. This album is progressive without pretension, and that makes it successful in and of itself.
There is something in this album's understated nature that I feel might, if given the right environment to germinate, cause me to actually get into this album a bit. But that hasn't happened yet, it's just a flicker in the back of my mind that tells me that maybe I'll come back to this album in the future. Only time will tell. One word review: Fresh (but still not for me).

Death's Review:

"This is an interesting album."
This is an interesting album. I had no idea what to expect, but I still came out pleasantly surprised. This is a well-produced seeming one-man show, with clean vocals and an experimental hard rock vibe. Think King's X, Last Crack, Faith No More - that level of heaviness. The lyrics seem well thought out, the music is dynamic and emotional, the performances impassioned. Mastermind Devon Graves cites influences like Frank Zappa, Jethro Tull and Iron Maiden. That should give you an idea of what Dead Soul Tribe sounds like, but it is only a start. Now think about the fact that Dead Soul Tribe is an InsideOut Music band. Now think about the fact that Dead Soul Tribe is often compared to Psychotic Waltz. That should just about do it. And at the end of the day, you either like this kind of stuff or you do not. Many people will find this dated-sounding. Many will find it not heavy enough or not metal enough. But others of you will really get into this album, and some might find it amazing. I expect there would be a wide range of reactions to this band, but I can tell you for sure that there is something honest happening here. And that's worth a lot in this world.

Hel's Review:
I’d heard good things about Dead Soul Tribe, and the title of the last album A Murder of Crows struck me as pretty clever, so when this one hit my desk, I thought, “hey, this might be a really nice change of pace.” For the first time in I have no idea how long, I find myself listening to a prog project with clean vocals and even the occasional flute passage. As a former flutist myself, I found the use of the instrument on this record to be extremely well executed, and in some ways, it is one of the highlights of the album.

"Dead Soul Tribe provides a satisfying progressive experience."

Devon Graves is the mastermind behind the band, and with the exception of three songs on the album, for which drummer Adel Moustafa lent a helping hand, he wrote and performed the record entirely by himself. This sort of DIY approach lends cohesiveness to the album and allows it to flow despite any changes in direction he may choose to take, which he occasionally does. It is a testament to Mr. Graves’ talent that I needed to read the press release to realize that this was not, in fact, a full band, but essentially a one-man project. Yes, he performs all the parts that well.
While not every song hits the mark for me, there are enough spots of brilliance to offset the few times when I begin to snooze. On the whole, this is a well-written, well-performed, and well-produced work, and as such is highly enjoyable. This record certainly won’t be for everyone, but for those predisposed to enjoy prog, you may just think you have found your new favorite band. Dead Soul Tribe provides a satisfying progressive experience.

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