| | Full Review | Ratings (290) |
Give your Rating |
| 4.5 superb | Snide | June 16th 16 |
The songwriting has improved on a surprising scale from previous efforts; and while the production
may not be as polished as New Demons, it's a much more cohesive and consistently enjoyable effort
than previous I See Stars efforts by a mile.
Edit: This album only gets better with time, and overall the new direction is far better than
anything they've ever done before, and is far more enjoyable. The production makes more sense, and
the focus on the more melodic tendencies was absolutely needed. Time to bump my score up.
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | GoldenGuy444 | April 19th 18 |
A sublimely produced and performed album filled with rich ice-y melodies that pack such a hard punch that it'll keep listeners coming back for more.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.5 great | c0nf1n3d | December 19th 19 |
There's no doubt that I See Stars' "Treehouse" is the group's best album to date. However, they fall into a familiar trap that many bands in the genre fall into when it comes to track separation. It's one of those albums where the first half is much stronger than the second half. So much so, that by the end it's almost exhausting. I swore "Portals" was the last song and was fine with it until "Yellow King" started. By then, I was over the album. Not to detract at all from the excellent pacing and style of the first half though; "Calm Snow" opens beautifully, "Break" is catchy, "Everyone's Safe in the Treehouse" utilizes crescendos well, and "Running With Scissors" remains the album's best song. Because of that, the album is worth the listen, but if you find yourself tuning out during the awkward-sounding "All In", no one would blame you.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | kizmang | June 28th 16 |
So glad I rediscovered these guys, this album was a huge and pleasant surprise! "Running With
Scissors", "Light In The Cave" and "Yellow King" are my favourites here, although there is a lot
to enjoy on this record, for sure.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Shykz | June 26th 16 |
A fantastic stylistic shift from New Demons that can't really be considered better just different.
Bump |
| 2.5 average | iGuter | June 25th 16 |
A confident new direction that works for the electronicore band.
Bump |
| 3.0 good | Jared Floryan | June 24th 16 |
New Demons, released in the year 2013, was a pleasant surprise for me personally; doubly so taking into account that I didn't much care for I See Stars' past three records. It was a mostly cohesive offering which showcased very well that the Warren, Michigan-based outfit could infuse their brand of melodic metalcore with electronic influences in a manner which came off as neither superficial nor all that forced. Whilst certainly not perfect, I had newfound respect for ISS upon jamming New Demons. That said, the band has recently delivered another new affair entitled Treehouse, following the departure of unclean vocalist Zach Johnson and guitar player Jimmy Gregerson. When compared to its predecessor, I See Stars' fifth full-length isn't quite as exciting, but an unlikable shift in sound this isn't. To give credit where credit is due, the instrumentation and vocals are largely adequate, and there aren't really any horrible tracks on standby aside from "All In"; seriously, what in the fuck were these fellas on when they conceived that? Although there are instances here when the troupe can put too much emphasis on hooks at the expense of any legit substance or compelling songcraft, Treehouse is an otherwise harmless album sporting cool moments. Angel recommends: "Calm Snow," "Light In the Cave," "Portals," and "Yellow King".
Bump |
| 3.0 good | ThomasTheCure | June 21st 16 |
The album is consistently "okay." ISS never quite reaches their potential with this new and, frankly, very likable shift in style. I constantly got the feeling that something was missing or holding the album back. It just doesn't quite click and teases listeners by often coming close, only to stumble. Only real standouts for me are Break and Light in the Cave.
Bump |
| 3.5 great | Thealwaysopenedmind | June 19th 16 |
This album grew on me after a few more listens. Some songs still seem to end to early to me (Calm Snow, Break, White Lies), but overall, the songs aren't as boring as I originally thought. I was expecting the album to be more exciting than it was, not fully acknowledging the fact that they were going for a colder sound. This album is definitely a step in the right direction with some good song writing, minus a few tracks. I still like New Demons better though. Haha.
Bump |
| 3.5 great | AmbushReality | June 16th 16 |
"All In" has to be among the worst tracks I've heard in ages. Devin is attempting to be one of rthose trap/rap/hip-hop hype idiots the entire song, and its so painful to listen to. Aside from rthat, its a well composed electronic ROCK album. I just don't get why they [nearly] totally rabandoned the sound that spawned two excellent albums (Digital Renegade and especially New Demons) rand led to a substantial fan base (headlining All-Stars Tour, mainstage Warped Tour, New Demons rdebuting at #28 on the BillBoard 200). There are a few tracks with elements of their previous rsound, but for the most part, I See Stars has been totally reinvented on Treehouse. Time will tell rif that's for the better, but Treehouse is certainly not as interesting a listen as its two rpredecessors. Solid production and interesting drum work contributed by YouTube sensation and the rWorld Alive percussionist Luke Holland add two more positive facets to this release, but rultimately it falls short of the electronic-core/electronic-hardcore masterpiece that was New rDemons.
Bump |
| 2.5 average | GregoriusV | May 31st 16 |
After the band asked to leave their screamer and rhythm vocalists, this album lacks
correspondingly superb growls and infectious breakdowns.
Instead, here you have "Walking on Gravestones". A song, where basically NOTHING is happening.
Don't get me wrong, there are some good songs - "RWS", "Break", "Mobbin' Out". But: you might
accept the change in direction the band has taken, or you might not. I definitely belong to the
latter camp.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | xeom | July 13th 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | Axmetal | August 8th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | Matty CONTRIBUTOR | June 21st 22 |
| 3.5 great | teo | June 16th 21 |
| 3.0 good | tellah | March 30th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | branm25 | February 27th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Oobaloo | February 8th 21 |
| 3.5 great | Halez | May 1st 20 |
| 3.0 good | john | January 29th 20 |
| 4.0 excellent | Xirae | November 11th 19 |
| 5.0 classic | kodama | August 4th 19 |
| 3.5 great | Verix | July 26th 19 |
| 1.5 very poor | Prole | July 23rd 19 |
| 4.5 superb | babb | July 22nd 19 |
| 3.5 great | josh | June 10th 19 |
| 5.0 classic | Zappa88 | January 25th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | andrewz | January 4th 19 |
| 5.0 classic | STEA | November 9th 18 |
| 3.0 good | Josh | September 23rd 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Krpa | April 30th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Sarah | March 29th 18 |
| 3.5 great | Noobl | February 13th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Tranqyl | February 1st 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | nbats | December 24th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Josh F. | July 26th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | ORTCEZ | June 25th 17 |
| 3.0 good | tgdv | May 19th 17 |
| 3.5 great | tcarafi | February 15th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Gio | February 14th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | TatR | February 10th 17 |
| 3.5 great | jsaf7 | January 6th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | jpjpablo | December 31st 16 |
| 3.5 great | El Olam | December 11th 16 |
| 3.0 good | Eminor | December 5th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | ryan10 | October 30th 16 |
| 2.5 average | jzzlrd | October 4th 16 |
| 2.5 average | Elynna | August 24th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Furik | July 29th 16 |
| 3.5 great | Pherin | July 26th 16 |
| 5.0 classic | heper1 | July 18th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Kyyzen | July 1st 16 |
| 3.5 great | elry2k | June 30th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | guizpom | June 28th 16 |
| 2.5 average | Linx | June 27th 16 |
| 3.0 good | Ebola | June 20th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Shamus248 CONTRIBUTOR | June 20th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | zmol | June 20th 16 |
| 3.0 good | SYL | June 17th 16 |
| 3.0 good | Tom Read CONTRIBUTOR | June 17th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | jesper STAFF | June 17th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | befire | June 10th 16 |
| |
Give Your Opinion on Treehouse
|
