''Through the Trees'' is the third full-length album released by

The Handsome Family The Handsome Family is an American music duo consisting of husband and wife Brett and Rennie Sparks formed in Chicago, Illinois, and as of 2001 based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They are perhaps best known for their song " Far from Any Road" from ...

, released in 1998 on Carrot Top Records/

Loose Music Loose is a British independent record label based in Ladbroke Grove, London. In 1998, Loose was formed from the vinyl only record label, Vinyl Junkie, which was set up in 1994 by Tom Bridgewater. Loose Music - About Since 1998, Loose has rele ...

. The album has received significant critical praise, and is considered one of the band's best works.

Recording

''Through the Trees'' was written in the aftermath of Brett Sparks' mid-1990s hospitalization and diagnosis of

bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression, is a mental disorder characterized by periods of depression and periods of abnormally elevated mood that last from days to weeks each. If the elevated mood is severe or associated with ...

.Layne, Joslyn " The Handsome Family Biography, ''

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

'', Macrovision Corporation The closing song, "My Ghost", was inspired by Brett's experiences in the psychiatric unit. The album was recorded in a makeshift warehouse loft space in a run-down part of Chicago, using equipment lent to the band by

Wilco Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup changed frequently dur ...

Jeff Tweedy Jeffrey Scot Tweedy (born August 25, 1967) is an American musician, songwriter, author, and record producer best known as the singer and guitarist of the band Wilco. Tweedy, originally from Belleville, Illinois, started his music career in high s ...

, who was a friend and fan of their work. They had met each other through Tweedy's wife Sue Miller, owner of the Chicago club

Lounge Ax The Lounge Ax was a music venue in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, located across the street from Wax Trax. It was an important venue for live rock music, especially indie rock. The club was opened in 1987 by Jennifer Fischer and Julia Ad ...

. Rennie Sparks later told

Folk Radio UK Folk Radio UK, is an online Independent Music Journal covering a broad range of Folk music, Global music, Independent music, American Primitive Guitar, Drone Music and other alternative offerings. Established in 2004 by Alex Gallacher. the websi ...

in an interview: "Jeff offered to let us borrow a bunch of gear he had but wasn’t using (an ADAT, a Mackie mixer, Lexicon reverb and a fabulous Tube-Tech compressor). This was a huge gift – Jeff gave us more than gear, he gave us time. We returned our rental equipment and slowed our work pace. We were finally recording music without worrying about how much money each hour was costing us. It completely changed how we worked." Tweedy also plays guitar and backing vocals on several songs.

Reception

Mojo Mojo may refer to: *Mojo (African-American culture), a magical charm bag used in voodoo Arts, entertainment and media Film and television * MOJO HD, an American television network * ''Mojo'' (play), by Jez Butterworth, made into a 1997 film * '' ...

'' magazine named it one of the “10 Essential Americana Records Of All Time”. It was praised in the magazine's music encyclopedia ''The Mojo Collection'' as "an American gothic country classic: dark twisted, blackly comic tales of death and decay, drink, desperation and dead dogs." ''

UNCUT Uncut may refer to: * ''Uncut'' (film), a 1997 Canadian docudrama film by John Greyson about censorship * ''Uncut'' (magazine), a monthly British magazine with a focus on music, which began publishing in May 1997 * '' BET: Uncut'', a Black Enter ...

'' named it the "Best New Country Album of the Year".Layne, Joslyn " The Handsome Family Biography, ''

'', Macrovision Corporation

Track listing

All music by Brett Sparks; all lyrics by Rennie Sparks, except as noted.

Personnelcf. Brett & Rennie Sparks (1998): Credits. In ''Through The Trees'' D booklet Chicago: Carrot Top Records.

* Brett & Rennie Sparks - voice, guitar, banjo, bass, dobro, melodica, autoharp, drum machine, piano, etc. except as follows *

- backing vocals, tracks 3, 4, 5, 7; guitar, end of track 4; rhythm guitar, track 5 *

Dave Trumfio David Trumfio (born August 16, 1968) is an American record producer, mixer, engineer and musician, best known for his production work with artists such as Wilco and his recordings with his own band The Pulsars. Production work Trumfio grew u ...

- additional percussion; bass on "Stalled" * Jessica Billey - violin on "Down In The Ground" * Dave Smith and Dave Winer of The Baltimores - horns on "My Ghost" * Brad Miller - band photo

References

External links

The Handsome Family official website
1998 albums The Handsome Family albums Carrot Top Records albums Loose Music albums {{1990s-country-album-stub