Album Review: Oliver Tree “Ugly is Beautiful”
“Ugly is Beautiful” is Oliver Trees debut album. Surprising that this is his debut album with the amount of EPs and features this guy has done that are straight fire. I discovered Tree about two years ago after he did a song with Getter (song name) and then with Whethan (song name). I think when you talk about most genre diverse artists Tree has got to be up there. I would describe his sound as Rage Against the Machine mixed with Twentyone Pilots. He kind of has a rock/rap element to his music with a EDM vibe, if that makes sense. Truly is a unique artist.
The character of Oliver Tree is basically a meme. If you watch any of his music videos or just look at the guy in general you can see he fully embraces being straight up weird. Bull cut, those weird glasses, parachute pants?, and a wind breaker straight from the 90s. All his music videos are way over the top, and borderline don’t make any sense. It fits for the message for a lot of his music which I think is just be you and to not worry about what others think of you.
Also the guy used to be a professional scooter rider. Scooterer? Like professionally rode Razor Scooters. Who even knew that was a thing?
Top 3 Songs on the Album
3)Im Gone
Favorite Lyrics:
“Please just tell me what you wanted You wanted more
But it was never enough, of course
Stop acting selfish”
Now this could be Tree referencing his retirement. But regardless its a good message of not being happy with what you have and the constant greed people encounter in general. Good song though. I enjoy the ups and downs. Also the drumstick clicks in the bridge get me going.
2)Bury Me Alive
Favorite Lyric:
“Rolling dices, let me get a six and six and another six That's where the Devil lives
Calling up Lucy just to get a fix”
This is definitely the song on the album with the most rap elements. Music video doesn’t make a lot of sense to me but that may be the point. This song might be where I connected his sound to Rage Against the Machine the most. Sounds very similar.
1)1993
Favorite Lyric:
“Drop at 2:23”
This ones more of an EDM banger. Sounds like it has some Dubstep influence. Also this is the only song I can find by Little Ricky ZR3 which leads me to think this might be Trees next step as an artist. Maybe going into the EDM scene.
Bonus song- Fuck
Not on the album but just gets me going
Im not sure how mainstream Oliver Tree will ever be able to be because of his style, but his following is strong enough for him to stick around if he wants. He has said before that he is retiring after this but Im not sure how much of that is for real and how much of that is him just being him. I hope he sticks around and keeps putting out music though. This album is very good but not great. Quite a few songs that are on my Spotify “Liked songs”.
Final Grade: 7/10