The Lyndsay Diaries

Item: The Tops of Trees Are On Fire
Author: Kriss Stress

The Tops of Trees Are On Fire

(2002)

Reviewed by Kriss Stress

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label The Militia GroupDecapolisMay 2003

acoustic emo singer-songwriter

It would be easier for one to dismiss The Lyndsay Diaries' Scott Windsor as another Chris Carrabba clone leading another sleep inducing acoustic indie rock band that proves more appealing to pre-pubescent, TRL addled girls than fans of serious introspective music; but as it turns out, The Lyndsay Diaries aren't that at all.

With "The Tops of Trees Are On Fire," the sophomore record on The Militia Group, the St. Louis based one man band proves to have far more substance than the whine and groan of many of its fellow indie rock peers. Songs like "Mixtapes and Memories" and "Sometimes" wring with emotion with the aid of a lone acoustic guitar, the latter of which executes a rich cello in the foreground.

The influence of Bob Dylan and other folk legends can be heard in songs like "Cowboy" with its slow and drawling slide guitar and moody harmonica. "Paper Airplane Dream" uses a magnificent full band arrangement while the title track opens the record with what sounds like a muffled drum machine while Scott's crisp vocals cut through the static.

Lyrically, introspection is key. Scott has no problem baring his soul via heart wrenching vocals and haunting musical arrangements. The Dashboard comparisons may be there, but with "The Tops of Trees Are On Fire," the Lyndsay Diaries give you a solace and a feeling of peace even in the places you may have come to fear the most.