Report cards · 2002–2007

Press

What they wrote about us.

I Dream of Eclectic Sheep

13 cuttings

Grade 7/10
In the time it would take to watch a typical sitcom, you get something that may not change your life, but just might leave a smile on your face.
PopMatters · Evan Sawdey · 2007-04-02
Beautiful and diverse feel-good pop.
Desibeli.net · Ilkka Valpasvuo · 2006-11-30
Grade ★★★★
The album is available on the band's website as a free download. Which is a little ironic, as 'I Dream of Eclectic Sheep' could be Treeball's best album.
Rumba · Jean Ramsay
I Dream of Eclectic Sheep shows how many talented songwriters there are in the band. My favourite songs of the album are all from different songwriters. Nick Triani (Denial Of The Fittest), Janne Lehtinen (Favourite Enemy), Astrid Swan (The Ghost Will Come) and Michael McDonald (Soul To Heaven) can all write wonderful pop songs and this is another strong Treeball album.
Onechord.net
There tends to be a certain unjustified disposition towards bands who release entire albums for free on the internet. Some point to a lack of quality, effort, and creativity before even listening to one song. What about bands with visible talent who just enjoy spreading their music to all fans throughout the world, at no cost? Treeball are a good example of this unselfish attitude. Sure, the band could have released I Dream of Eclectic Sheep and made some sort of profit, but they seem to value quality reception and support from fans instead of financial benefaction.
Obscuresound.com
I have been impressed with the tracks I have played so far. It's atmospheric, melodic indie rock that fits fine with the gloomy London weather.
indie-mp3.co.uk
For some inexplicable reason – because they so don't suck – Treeball has released their fourth album I Dream of Eclectic Sheep free of charge.
Indie Junkie
I Dream of Eclectic Sheep is beautiful, catchy… an incredible gem of a record.
Veritas Lux Mea · 2006-11
'Do you believe in us?' The opening line of Treeball's sixth studio album has us questioning. But, of course we believe them… they're Finnish!
Beat Lawrence · 2006-11
Lest you think that [the record being a free download] suggests suspect value, check out the following [Favourite Enemy and Soul to Heaven] and then the others.
Powerpopulist · 2006-12
And now there is 'I Dream of Eclectic Sheep', ten new songs which you can download for free. If you don't want to do this, I would advise you to put the next three gems on your hard drive: 'Favourite Enemy', 'The Ghost Will Come' and 'Grace Falls'. I'm sure that you'll want to have the rest also!
Hotstof · 2006-12
[Treeball] play feel-good indie pop rock with the emphasis on pop and do it with a streamlined quality that recalls The Wannadies and The Cardigans.
reloda.co.uk
One of those rare discs that really make you feel good.
Kwmusica

Liars in Love

13 cuttings

Grade ★★★★½
The dialogue between Nick and Astrid has developed to a point where it's simply unparalleled… And the mandolin that ends the record is just great!
Desibeli.net · Ilkka Valpasvuo · 2006-04-05
Grade ★★★★
The first three tracks are crackling, and despite the slowdown towards the end, the rest of the album contains no misses either … Recommended purchase for all lovers of timeless guitar pop.
Noise.fi · Hog Hansson · 2006-04
Grade ★★★
Baroque pop and more traditional guitar rock live in peace mixing tenderness and insults together. Liars in Love is a great soundtrack for next summer's intimate moments.
Rumba · Markku Roinila · 2006-04
Grade ★★★
Treeball keep playing good-sounding indie pop on their third album.
Nyt-liite · Tiina Keränen · 2006-04
Grade ★★★
Treeball have made their best album.
Rockmusica.net · Hannu Linkola · 2006-04
Grade ★★★
After the surprisingly country-ish title track Treeball offers in all its simplicity a full ten point pop song, Let Me Out Of Here.
Soundi · Pertti Ojala · 2006-04
Grade ★★★★
Timeless pop music as it's meant to be played. Full of heart and soul.
Onechord.net · Vesa Lautamäki · 2006-05
Grade ★★★
Treeball's third album presents us with a longed-for more compact Treeball sound.
Mesta.net · Antti Aittapelto · 2006-05
Grade ★★★★
In any case, Liars in Love is a good album, and it's certainly great that music like this is done in Finland.
Etelä-Suomen Sanomat · Jarno Hynninen, Kari Härkönen, Saara Harju · 2006-05
Grade ★★★
Effortlessly sparkling pop music that, in places, even resembles Wigwam with its flashy organ parts.
Ilkka · Juha Seitz · 2006-05
Grade ★★★★
Treeball's 3rd long player, and the band's most original, stylish atmospheric pop album.
Sue · Ari Väntänen · 2006-05
There certainly aren't too many bands like Treeball in Finland.
MTV3 · Kirsi Hantula · 2006-05
Grade ★★★★
Soulful music that also reveals how capable the musicians really are. And that's an achievement worth a hat tip.
Vertigo.cd · Minna Koivunen · 2006-05

Intercontinental Pop Exchange No. 4

8 cuttings

Friday Night is an amazing power pop song, a beautiful piece consisting of energetic guitars and keyboards. Reminds me of Big Star.
Indiepop.it · 2004-11
Grade ★★★½
The strongest track is the opener "Not Happy Now," a perfect little indie rock ballad that incorporates the strong vocal harmonies of singers Nick Triani and Astrid Swan.
Umbrella Music · Tim Lawrence · 2004-10
Grade ★★★
Four songs apiece from each of these artists, which leaves us with eight tracks. And not a bad one in the bunch.
Soulshine · Cameron Gordon · 2004-10
Grade ★★★
It's all quite pretty and definitely pop – there's a teen-movie-ready selection here from each group ("Blue" from Treeball, "In Love With Ourselves" from Booth).
FFWD Weekly · Jennifer Abel · 2004-10
Finland's Treeball are a real find.
Not Lame Recordings · 2004-10
Grade ★★★
Treeball's star is clearly on the rise.
Rumba 16/04 · Markku Roinila
Grade ★★★
The idea is to present artists from different parts of the world and make the fans of the other band like the other. Sheer pop genius, in other words.
Desibeli.net · Marko Ylitalo · 2004-09-13
Grade ★★★★
Both new songs are really good ones and the beginning of the opener Not Happy Now is probably the most beautiful moment they've so far created.
One Chord to Another · Vesa Lautamäki · 2004-09

National Treasure

11 cuttings

I have a soft spot for subversive pop music. The kind that's equally cynical and sentimental. The kind where you'll be driving your mom somewhere and she'll say, 'Well, this sure is a nice song.' The kind where you say, 'Yeah, it's about scoring blow in Bolivia.'
3hive.com · Sam · 2004-12
National Treasure is a surprisingly strong album that will hopefully help the band find the wider audience they deserve.
Exclaim! · Michael Edwards · 2004-08
Grade ★★★
I didn't want to like Franz Ferdinand, but that's what happened. The second Strokes album wasn't supposed to be good, but convince me it did. And I do like Treeball's National Treasure, despite its shortcomings.
Rockmusica.net · Matias Karekallas · 2004-04
Grade ★★★★½
They sound more and more convincing each year and I have no doubts of their plans for international recognition (anymore) … Recommended.
Desibeli.net · Ilkka Valpasvuo · 2004-03-08
Grade ★★★½
'Definition of Pop' almost describes itself perfectly and launches into a chorus Teenage Fanclub would be proud of … Finnish record of the year so far – all round excellence.
Americana-UK · DC · 2004-03
Grade ★★★★
Treeball sound more self-confident than ever and there are loads of excellent songs this time around.
Soundi · Mikko Meriläinen · 2004-03
Grade ★★★★
An extremely enjoyable pop record that you can effortlessly, but not carelessly, listen to.
Let's Make Some Noise · Tom Sundberg · 2004-03
It works beautifully and is sure to put a spring in anyone's step.
Chart Attack · Lauren Ferranti · 2004-03
Grade ★★★★
Treeball cannot be accused of pop elitism or excessive indie-pop quirks … You can even sense a bit of nostalgy in Triani's harmonic, expertly crafted pop songs.
Nyt-liite 9/04 · Mikko T. Virtanen
Timeless melodies, classic pop tunes and beautiful vocals is still the basic foundation of Treeball's music, but this time they don't play it as safe as they did on the debut.
One Chord to Another · Vesa Lautamäki · 2004-02
It's hard to find any flaws from these songs however hard you try (unless you count that as one) … Astrid's voice beats Nina Persson's voice – as well as many others' – with its character … A lovingly made album about love.
Indiepop · J · 2004-02

A Cat Formation of a Mouse

5 cuttings

Grade ★★★
Nothing striking here, but it's pretty sweet when it hits.
PopMatters · Zachary Houle · 2006-05
Grade ★★★½
The expectations for the second album are high.
Desibeli.net · Jari Jokirinne · 2003-11-17
Grade ★★★★★
Besides giving the listener extra energy to better cope the darkness of these autumn evenings you can really tell that the band had a lot of fun making this EP.
Let's Make Some Noise · Tom Sundberg · 2003-11
Grade ★★★★
'You Remind Me of Your Aunt' and 'Missed' are real gems.
Sue · 2003-11
Grade ★★★★ (of 4)
The perfect accompaniment for eating banana yoghurt.
Rumba 21/03 · Antti Koivumäki

The Strawberry Blonde School of Class

12 cuttings

Grade ★★★★★ (of 6), album of the month
What am I to say? The album of the year? Perhaps – don't know. Anyway, this music forces a content smile on my face.
twang-tone.de · Mike Korbik · 2002-12
Grade ★★
The Strawberry Blonde School of Class is a helplessly boring record.
Rockmusica.net · Hannu Linkola · 2002-10
Grade ★★★
Although not always melodically so original, this type of music can be very stylish – and style is something Treeball has loads of.
Let's Make Some Noise · Sbergo · 2002-10
Grade ★★★★
One of the best albums made in Finland in its own, wide genre.
Soundi 9/02 · Tero Alanko
Grade ★★★★
The band is at its best in simpler songs such as 'Wild' and 'The World's Going Round The Bend', where their country-underpinnings are strongly present.
Sue · Ari Väntänen · 2002-09
Distorted guitars and Astrid's excellent singing give this record its edge. Adding a few more surprises in the song material wouldn't hurt in the future.
Markkinointi & Mainonta · MM · 2002-09
Record of the month.
Radio Extreme · 2002-09
Grade ★★★★
Well thought-out arrangements and sincere, yet skilful playing raise this record above the usual guitar pop records.
Nyt-liite 37/02 · Otto Talvio
Grade ★★★★
Sincere and lovely pop for all boys and girls… One of the finest American style pop records to have come out of Finland in a long while.
Rumba 16/02 · Markku Roinila
…the edge of this record is given by Nick and Astrid duets which work perfectly well and definitively make this record so special and attaching.
Sonordica.com · Fabien
…the excellence of these songs suggests a promising future. So the old conception, bleak Finland, gives way to a new one, summer-party Finland.
Shmat Records · Gary
The 1st word that comes to my mind when listening to the album is the old fashioned word – cool.
Sue/Discolite · Mikko Lappalainen

On the band

1 cutting

Treeball recall the crackly trailer-trash radio of the American heartland. Lovely.
Billy Reeves

Notes from the band

Essays

Press

I Dream of Eclectic Sheep

Liars in Love

Intercontinental Pop Exchange No. 4

National Treasure

A Cat Formation of a Mouse

The Strawberry Blonde School of Class

On the band

Notes from the band

Links