by Lichfield1979

Created on: November 16, 2008

Dust by Screaming Trees (1996)

Seventh and final album from this Washington State alternative rock band, mixed by Andy Wallace and produced by George Drakoulias. Kerrang considered "Dust" the best record of its year, although it's a folksier affair than the grungy sounding psychedelic punk brew of earlier collections. Benmont Tench and Mike McCready make guest appearances.

Mark Lanegan - vocals, guitar

Gary Lee Conner - guitar

Van Conner - bass

Barrett Martin - percussion

One - Halo of Ashes

A coral sitar furnishes this tune with an electric flavour of eastern mysticism. The rhythm section is accompanied by mellotron, congas, tabla, harmonium and djembe. Lanegan's lyrics resemble prose as much as verse and he frequently employs half rhymes. A lot of his perceptions give the impression of being drug influenced either now or at some point in the past. His voice is a gruff but melodic baritone: "She wears a halo of ashes / spectre on the wind."

Two - All I Know

The most successful single from the record is driven by another catchy melody and some almost Beatlesque musical arrangements underneath the increasingly noisy guitar work. The abrasiveness of this sound is sweetened by electric piano and cello and backing harmonies. "Bite the thorn that pierce the skin / Come back down to earth again / The cold is creeping deep inside / You disconnect the telephone line."

Three - Look At You

Starts with a peaceful haze of organ cradling the gently rocking verses, punctuated by colourful and expansive guitar passages. "Her ghost hides / In my mind / In the night / In a way she's haunting me." I think the chorus sounds a little like Tom Petty, but then, Benmont Tench is a member of the Heartbreakers, so...

Four - Dying Days

Features a big guitar solo from the lead guitarist of Pearl Jam, Mike McCready. The production as elsewhere is cluttered and fuzzy but warm and lends the sound a likeable and distinctive texture. Acoustic guitars are turned up louder in the mix at times and along with an organ provide strikingly simple touches. "I walk the ghost town / Used to be my city" croaks Lanegan. Ends with another enchanting squall of electric guitar.

Five - Make My Mind

Yet another good tune glinting in the glow of guitar growls. The lyrics are less anguished and the song breathes in the space of contemplation yet to be filled by getting together with somebody much admired. By the end the music senses the moment may be getting closer.

Six - Sworn And Broken

Starts off as an acoustic ballad before

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