Reviewers never neglect to mention that Tree63, who are originally from Durban in 1996 and have survived a name change and a break-up, are a Christian rock band — a moniker that doesn’t always bring to mind an internationally successful, mainstream pop-rock act with chart-topping hit singles. But does their religion really matter? On their latest album, The Life and Times of Absolute Truth (Lush), the signs of the faith are there to be found. However, those who are new to the band probably won’t even recognise the spiritual elements, so subtly have they been worked into the mix.The album kicks off with The Glorious Ones, an upbeat modern-rock track with rather motivational lyrics, similar in sound to bands like the Gin Blossoms. There are catchy punk beats on All Hands and Anxious Seat. The big single No Words is a perfect pop song about love. Be All End All and It’s All About to Change are standard pop-rock tunes and All Because is a slightly lifeless ballad.It all sounds straightforward, exactly what one would expect of a band in this genre. Only upon closer examination of the lyrics does the band’s faith become apparent: “You covered up my sin / You covered up my silence” on All Because; “I will sing to you cause you made me to” and a few hallelujah’s on Here of All Places, a moody rock song with a U2-like chorus; references to “house of sand” and “deep down I knew that I was lost” on How Did I Sleep?, a schmaltzy, six-minute track that seems to be about awakening to God. Or it could refer to an earthly love — all these lyrics could apply to normal love affairs, too. There are no direct references to God, Jesus or a cross. This seems to be a clever way of practising religion in a band without alienating those of different faiths, a way of maintaining beliefs in the mainstream.So, with the religious aspects present but unobtrusive, this is a confident, well-produced pop-rock album with good lyrics and John Ellis giving it all on vocals, supported competently by Darryl Swart on drums and Daniel Ornellas on bass. It doesn’t break any boundaries, but is catchy and energetic enough to keep one’s attention.
Tree63 are on a tour of South Africa. Keep an eye on the music listings for venue details