I've said it before and I'll say it again -- it's hard to impress me if the first time I'm hearing you is at a live show. However, when I walked into the Bottleneck this past spring, Between the Trees was on stage in full force, begging me to take note of their name. I did. And here I am, finally having gotten around to paying closer attention. It's just too bad I didn't catch on earlier. Like two years ago when "The Story and the Song" was first released, for instance.
Let me tell you why I like this CD. For one, vocalist Ryan Kirkland strongly reminds me of The Working Title's Joel Hamilton. Back when Joel didn't sound like Conor Oberst, that is (think back, if you can, to 2002's "Sincerely"). For two, vocal harmonies so honest they are reminiscent of Copeland and Mae (who they also happened to have been on tour with the first time I saw them). For three, synths a la Motion City Soundtrack.
Maybe it's just that I miss 2003 (which was a great year to listen to all of the aforementioned bands), and this CD so strongly reminds me of such a good time in my life. Maybe it's that each song tells its own story. Maybe it's that there's an air of peacefulness and hope that surrounds Christian bands that I find comfort in. Maybe it's that they feel like an honest band who is out there helping to keep those highly influential teens on the right path. With catchy music and lyrics in songs such as "The Way She Feels" and "Words," Between the Trees is well on their way to every teenager's iPod or CD shelf -- with Mom and Dad's approval!
Review by: Jennifer Long
Additional links:
- Between the Trees' official website
- Between the Trees on Myspace