Boys In The Trees - CARLY SIMON***

You Belong To Me/Boys In The Trees/Back Down To Earth/Devoted To You/Fly Me In The Face/Haunting/Melt My Heart/You're The One/In A Small Moment/One Man Woman/For Old Times Sake

Critics appear to be divided on the merits of singer songwriter Carly Simon’s Boys In The Trees. Some claim that it compares unfavourably with her early work, others that it is a good mix of mellow soulfulness. What is clear is that this was her last album to achieve a high chart placing. Features the US top ten hit You Belong To Me. (US:10)

“A few catchy tracks scattered amongst a mostly generic album. But it has some of that nice 1970s zeitgeist, and the closing track For Old Times Sake is really good. However, not one of the most outstanding and special albums on earth.”

“The sound slides ever further into vapid studio pop, with hardly a trace of the folky singer-songwriter of Simon's debut. The soft porn cover is reflected in the lyrics.”

“The good mix of mellow and upbeat soulfulness keeps one listening and grooving to Carly's thoughtful but accessible observations, illustrated in each of these songs. This album wasn't something that just came out of nowhere. Throughout the mid 70s Carly had been gradually developing a more soulful feeling and funky groove in her music and songwriting.”

“Carly Simon's early albums really resonate with me. This just feels like very ordinary stuff in comparison. Yes her voice is lovely, but I prefer a lovely voice connected to some quality songwriting which this album rather lacks.”

“Overall, Boys In The Trees makes for quality easy listening music, but it doesn't illustrate Carly's potential as a songwriter. Her earlier releases are better albums by far.”

“All the great features you'd expect from Carly and her team are here in good amounts: the beautiful chord constructions, heart-stopping middle eights, perfect production and plaintive and honest lyrics - she seems guileless.”

“A succession of seductive, laconic and absorbing tracks, written and performed by one of the great singer-songwriters of the 70s.”