Customer Reviews

The Story And The Song

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Hailing from Orlando, Florida Christian indie rock group Between the Trees hit the airwaves with "The Way She Feels", a simple song that travels a girl's life from hardship to the healing arms of Jesus. The young musicians were drawn together through their love of music and friendship. From their website they declare: "The group has become known for their ability to create a common ground with the fans through their music using life experiences and friendship as their foundation." This remark is very true. The Story and the Song is a perfect title to the band's debut album, thus each song is packed with a story and a very strong message within.

On this album some of the band's topics range from relationships and cutting to hurtful words and their mom. Sounds like a wide range of topics, right? Yes, but Between the Trees have the real ability to connect with the listener and life. This becomes evident in the songs; "White Lights and Red Lights", "The Greatest of These", and "She Is..."

The lyrics are relevant to real emotions, feelings, and Christ. They even turn up the tempo on "Words", showing their ability to rock. On the track "A Time for Yohe" frontman Ryan Kirkland's voice drips with remorse and restoration. The last song "You Cry a Tear to Start a River" gives a folk flavor that reestablishes Jesus' love for us that is unmatched by none.

Between the Trees are a fresh faced and geared up band ready to take their message and music to those who may be struggling inside. They seem to have a uniqueness all to themselves, but fans of House of Heroes and The Fold will hear similarities.

Bands like this are good to hear, they bridge a daring gap in music today that stirs the voice of Christ and puts our thoughts and hearts back on track in times of need.

So I got the BTT CD in the mail today! It might've taken a while for it to get here since I ordered it (including today) 14 days ago. But it was probably due to holidays and such. Anyways, I loved it. It was in great condition.

As for the music. I love BTT. I especially like "A Time for Yohe." I do recommend for you to buy this Album. :D

The Story And The Song is a pretty good cd. I don't know much about the band and I bought this cd after watching the video "The Way She Feels". That was the best song on the cd in my opinion but overall it was good.

I loved it! Such a nice first album. "White lights & red lines" is my fav

This album is fantastic, but I am loving that so many of the comments are talking about how the listener cannot wait to hear them in the future because their newest album is about to come out and it is amazing! I am an intern for their record company, and I having heard it, I must say that I love it so much. If you can believe it possible, it is better than the first album. Spain is it's name. It is released on August 11th, 2009, and I cannot wait to see how great these guys get, because they are truly awesome guys. Support, enjoy, and spread the word.

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I can make no stronger statement for Between the Trees' first release, THE STORY AND THE SONG, than to say that it immediately gave me that great feeling of discovery that comes with getting in on the ground floor of what seems destined to be a fantastic career. Hearing Ryan Kirkland's soaring voice and memorable melodies had me thinking to myself, "I will be listening to this guy twenty years from now." And this isn't to say that I'll be listening to their older recordings, what I mean is that he will still be making music at that time; with the music business being as fickle as it is right now, there's something to be said about that statement.

I would be remised if I didn't mention the fact that THE STORY AND THE SONG doesn't really bring anything new to the table as far as musicality. However, what Between the Trees set out to do was craft a powerful, smoothly executed pop/rock record, of which they were more than capable. Their sound is less innovative as it is a more genuine offering of what is currently populating Top 40 radio, but their rendering of this style certainly puts them at a higher level than many of the their peers. Instrumentally, the band relies heavily on bouncy guitars and infectious energy ("Words"), but sparkling piano arrangements permeate the record as well ("White Lines & Red Lights"). But regardless of how talented these boys are, and will become, they will all take a backseat to the aforementioned Kirkland, who at only 19 has the range, clarity and conviction of a much more seasoned veteran. His vocals are the true star of the record and are no doubt what will catch the listener's ear in the beginning and leave them wanting more in the end. Most importantly of all, his voice carries with it a masculinity that doesn't undermine the music. Often in this genre - so full of war-torn hearts - an effeminate voice can take what is a sincere message and dilute it into generic pop-fare. Kirkland's voice does just the opposite, taking what might have been generic pop-fare and making it relevant.

"White Lines & Red Lights" is certainly the standout track of the album. Its guitars bounce off an infectious piano melody, and Kirkland's celestial vocals are on full display. The following track, "The Way She Feels," is an affecting memento of a friendship threatened by suicide. Its true-to-life story was the inspiration behind the CD's title, as well as the band's work with To Write Love On Her Arms, a non-profit organization that helps young people navigate their way through depression (the band donates a portion of each CD sale to them). The excellence continues on the energetic "Words," "The Fort," as well as the moving "A Time for Yohe." Also, the band shows its versatility on the southern-tinged "You Cry a Tear to Start a River," which, if nothing else, gives them the freedom to expand their sound on their next release.

It should be said, though, that the albums is not without pitfalls. "The Greatest of These" feels like a B-side that was included to fill space, and is the one song that makes the band seems less a unit than a group of disparate elements. Also, "She Is...,"an endearing shout-out from momma's boys everywhere, is a little too tacky for its own good and comes off like an mp3-laden Hallmark card. The sentiment is nice, but it suffers lyrically.

While The Story and the Song certainly won't net the band any Grammy's, I would be so bold as to say that the notion is not out of the question in the band's future. Their sound is huge, especially for a band that is yet to feature anyone over 20. For now, though, what we have is an indication that all is on the right the track for Between the Trees, and that these five young men are ones to watch

Recommended if you like: Acceptance, The Fray, Anberlin

This album is absouletly amazing. I can't wait for more albums by Between the Trees, I'm rather found of their sound. The vocals are enriched and emotion and I became enchanted instantly. This is a must buy.

This is an excellent debut CD by an excellent band. They do a great job with playing the indie-post punk sound but not staying there. Each song sounds like it belongs (whereas many bands, when they try to switch sounds, kind of feel like they forced the transition) though some of the songs are far from the high-energy rock of the others. I'm very impressed and can't wait for album number two.

Don't get me wrong.I don't hate emo. But emo is too emo for me. If there is such thing as good emo, Between the Trees' music would be one of them. Their album, the Story and the Song, is beautiful beyond words. Lyrically refreshing and easy to relate to. What could you ask from a band? Unlike many of their contemporaries, Between the Trees is a band with hope and purpose.Soulful voice of the main singer is strikingly similar to Fall Out Boy and Academy Is. Honestly though, Between the Trees' main singer is better voice than these two bands that I have mentioned though. With thousands of emo wanna be in the market, it is hard to find a band original and inspiring as Between the Trees.

Strongly recommended for the fans of Relient K, Emery, Academy Is, Blink 182, Fall Out Boy, Sherwood, and Mae.

I just got it like 3 days ago and I've already listened to the whole thing more than once. I recommend it to everyone. this is absolutely an amazing abulm!!