When a recommendation for a group that goes by the name of “The Giving Tree Band” showed up in my inbox, I’ll admit that I cringed a little bit. Naming your band “The Giving Tree” would be one thing, but that “Band” tacked on at the end exudes a little more cheesiness and self-awareness than can possibly be healthy. The record titles didn’t help either, as I decided to go with The Joke, The Threat, & The Obvious purely because it was the most recently released.
Let’s just say, I’m glad when I misjudge stuff. Don’t let the awful name fool you, The Giving Tree Band (lord, does that hurt to type out), puts together some pretty solid music. If you don’t like bluegrass, stay away, because that is exactly what you’ll be getting out of these guys. With some good ol’ fiddles, banjos, and general redneckery, you’d never guess that TGTB is from a town about an hour away from Chicago. Let’s be honest, though, anything about 50+ miles south of the Windy City might as well be deep in Dixieland.
I think I’m coming off as a little mean, and as just a bit of a hater with this post—that is not at all my intention. This band isn’t making it easy on me. That name is so bad. But I’m a big boy (so they tell me), and I’m going to move past it. The truth is that I loved pretty much every bit of this record. It’s far enough outside of what I usually listen to to intrigue me, but still close enough in proximity to Wilco to keep me happy. So if you’re looking for some solid, local folk, check out (ugh) The Giving Tree Band.
Swole Ear 
You said “to to”. Haaaa.