The New Tree63 Album Called Sunday
Christian Worship Music Review of South African Rockers
South African rockers Tree63 may be celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, but if fifth album "Sunday!" is any indication, they may have just hit their stride.
Frontman John Ellis has long strained against the constraints of the ‘Christian music’ label, but the new project positively oozes freedom. In fact, the first several tracks brought back some of the trappings of the free love-psychedelic era to mind, minus the pharmaceuticals, of course.
Track by Track
Glossy guitars set a moody tone to the opening title track, and big drums usher in the aforementioned psychedelic feel, augmented by Steve Miller-like rock changes. Thick guitars wail beneath Ellis’ wry commentary on our spiritual condition. But ultimately, like so many of the eleven Sunday! songs, this is an optimistic track, reminding us of the promised hope ahead. The blistering pop-rocker “Becoming” is given a more contemporary edge courtesy of some sly guitar noodling. Ellis’ signature honesty peaks through the image-laden lyrics of “World Undone,’ the guitars throbbing with intensity before building finally to an exultant chorus.
South African Context
Piano ballad “Alright” was written with South Africa in mind, Ellis’ tremulous vocals and social passion strongly reminiscent of John Lennon. The hope-drenched track is embellished beautifully with note-bending sonic touches, making “Alright” a glorious standout track, the layered vocals of its fervent ending glorious. It is followed well by the lustrous pop rocker “Foolishness,” exploring the ‘foolishness’ of the cross through old school rock changes. The track’s upbeat sonics sprint beneath intelligent lyrics: “I reasoned myself to death but/I was saved by foolishness/All my big ideas made such a mess/But I’m clean now, saved from foolishness/Foolish things made a king from a fool.” When the crowds stop dancing to catch a breath, these thoughtful lyrics will drive home the food beneath the fun.
Ripped From Scripture
Jangly rocker “There Is a Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken,” ripped from Hebrews 12, features a relentless electric wailing behind the verse that may not work for every listener, but the sparkling keys of the melodic “Almighty Silence” will win them back. More honesty as Ellis’ straightforward vocals examine the truth about dry, silent times above a lumbering 12 string guitar. Ellis holds nothing back here: “Silence creeps over me slowly like winter/A thorn in my flesh, a Divine wound, a splinter/I still love you so, night and day/I sometimes just have nothing to say.” This is the kind of unfettered truthfulness Tree63 has been moving toward for years, and it is a pleasure to announce their arrival.
An irony-steeped look at the Father’s heart, “Walking Home With You” juxtaposes its madly melodic changes up against some fairly sardonic commentary, but it’s hard to argue the well made point of this track. And a little irony is good for the soul anyway. The thundering guitar riffs of electric rocker “Not As This World” portrays well the agony of spirit expressed in the lyrics: “Holy God You promised me Your peace/And I’m still holding on, please release me.” The upfront honesty expressed in the songwriter’s real exasperation is part of what makes Sunday! such a vital contribution.
Rocking for Truth
The socially conscious closer “The Revolution” is a slammin’ rocker with a cause. Tree63 is dreaming of a day when we see: ”Full stomachs and both parents/and a church that acts like it really believes that/the Good news is good news for everybody everywhere.” It's difficult to argue with a passionate man who is just right when he’s right. Viva la revolution, and viva la Sunday!
