Review Revue: The Treeclimbers - s/t EP

Welcome to Review Revue, where every Thursday I dig through the KEXP stacks to share DJ reviews and comments written on the covers of LPs (and occasionally CDs) in the ’80s and ’90s, when the station was called KCMU, the DJs were volunteers, and people shared their opinions on little white labels instead of the internet.

Yes, welcome to another installment of Review Revue, also known as "Levi's got some learnin' to do about Pacific NW music history." In my defense, I didn't grow up here, so I didn't absorb this stuff in the same way as many of you (now ask me about Scruffy the Cat or Treat Her Right, and you'd have yourself a conversation). But still, I've been here for a while, and I really should know some of this stuff by now. Case in point: Did you know Sub Pop head Jonathan Poneman was once in a band called The Treeclimbers? (I know, I thought it said "Treecumbers" too, and figured that would be the most interesting thing about this record. Boy, was I wrong!)

Indeed, while he was a DJ at KCMU, scribbling on these very album covers, Mr. Poneman released this EP, which was then submitted to his fellow record-cover-scribblers for their pithy feedback. I have to say, this would be my personal hell. "Here, people whom I respect as listeners, and whom I know to be capable of incredible snark and sharp wit, what do you think of my record? Here's a little white label and a pen." I think I would have to release music under a pseudonym, or just wait until I was no longer a DJ to even admit that I made music. But that's me; I have problems. Mr. Poneman has apparently been quite well-adjust and comfortable in his own skin for over three decades now, and kudos to him. Now, let the roasting begin!