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Music Review: Tree 63 - The Life and Times of Absolute Truth
The Lyrical Revolution
Simple, upbeat, not gaudy nor dull, Tree 63 is one of the most
underappreciated Christian rock bands performing today. You can tell from the first note
that they are not interested in commercialistic Christian "cheese". Rather,
they represent something true, something free, something beautiful... truly Christian in the
uncorrupted definition of the word. These jamming South Africans are very clear and direct on where they stand on
things. In fact, that is the main address of their album, The Life and
Times of Absolute Truth.
In the intellectual war over whether such a thing exists, Tree 63 voices not just knowledge and intellect in their lyrics, but
also passion and beauty. Musically the word that best describes this record is simplicity. The upbeat songs
are easy and catchy but intertwined with some experimentation that doesn't leave the listener feeling like they just heard a bad pop song.
When they get soft, they want to make sure you hear the words, which are poetic witnesses
to God, describing how He really is beautiful, free, good, true, and loving.
Their lyrics are potent; filled with poetry that rides on the rhythms and flow of their music. Their songs are memorable; the lyrics
don't easily evade your mind. There are few other artists that can create such a balance between their music and the flow of thoughts and feelings.
Their songs are a river of thoughts, mixed with passionate emotional responses to God, doubt, growth,
identity, eternity, truth, and the journey of the soul.
They start the album with "Glorious Ones," a song about the shining identity of being a
Christian. Despite living in the "darkness underground" today, the
Christian is secure knowing that he has "eternal things in our (his) hands."
In "All Hands", Tree 63 plays around with an upbeat-synthesized sound
that basically cries out to those who don't know God to join them in burning
the past and raising your hands and lives to God.
After that, they have a
powerful song of beauty to God called "No Words" in which they sing of how
human language is many times inadequate in describing the beautiful mystery
of who God really is.
"All Because" follows and seems like a personal testimony, while "Anxious Seat" is the Christian plea to postmodern culture
to come back to reality, because there is truth that is not relevant to preference, but a real direction based on what that individual believes.
"Here Of All Places," "Be All End All," "It's All About To Change," and
"Surprise, Surprise" are all wonderful displays of passion and encouragement
involving the Christian pilgrimage of life in this world, all in preparation
for the next.
Tree 63 shares their personal experiences, and fittingly
after taking a big stance on Truth show that they are not really big, but
rather humble before God. They show the ups and downs of reconciling
beliefs of love, truth, and beauty that can't yet be seen to the darkness
and confusion of a sinful world. There is a lot of encouragement here for
the struggling.
Finally, they end the album like the closing of the eyes amidst the moonlight of the
deepening night. "How Did I Sleep" is a peaceful, tranquil question of how
Tree 63 was ever able to live without a relationship and reconciliation with
God. Tree 63 has the gift of giving life to their listeners. I recommend them
fully to anyone, for good music and several good, encouraging thoughts.
Review contributed by Nolan Hatley
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