Tree - Overflow

Tuesday 1st December 1998
Tree - Overflow
Tree - Overflow

STYLE: Rock
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 5383-2310
LABEL: Lush CD001
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Blindingly good performances at Soul Survivor and Greenbelt have put this South African band on the UK map. Tight and creative groovy rock'n'roll is the best way to describe this set. Guitars jangle, bass and drums kick and get funky and over the top of it all the vocals of John Ellis let loose. There's loads here to love and it was the rifforama of "Joy" that first got my attention built as it is around one of the aggressively funky guitar riffs but it's the strength of the band's harmony vocals that really impresses. "Weirdo" is strongly reminiscent of mid-period U2 and has wonderfully kooky lyrics and atmospheric vocals. Sometimes Ellis reminds me of Sting but you have to check out the hidden track to discover he does a good impression of a heavy metal singer!!! "Enough" has a questioning psalm-like quality and one of those hooky choruses that is immediately memorable! "Wake Up" begins in mellow fashion with a drum loop but turns into one of those anthemic things that Tree pull off with wild abandon! Whatever it is that you need to make a cracking album full of vibe, creativity and compelling twists and turns, these guys have got it!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Sample Track Listing:
2. Joy [Listen]

This track data is supplied by the Cross Rhythms CD/DVD review library. Please note that CD tracks may vary according to release region or product version.

Reader Comments

Posted by James Preston in Durban, South Africa @ 13:26 on Jan 17 2008

Unbelievable. I was given this CD over 4 years ago when I committed to Christ. I was fan long before then, but had never heard this, their first album. "Overflow" is incredible. It is a very close rank to their best. I'm blessed to be a radio presenter over here in Durbs, SA, Tree's (now Tree63) homeland, and have heard all their stuff. The following is a list of their albums in order of quality, in my opinion:

1. The Life And Times Of Absolute Truth (2002)
2. Overflow (1996 I THINK)
3. 63 (1999)
4. Sunday (2007)
5. The Answer To The Question (2004)

The above are all studio albums. They have a greatest hits jig and a worship album too. Unfortunately, some of that stuff wasn't agreed on by the band themselves, the label did it. But if you can get your hands on their live rendition of "Amazing Grace"... DO IT!!!!

Well, there you, that's what I reckon. U2 are my favourite band, and closely behind them... Tree63!

By the way, Mike Rimmer, your writing is superlative. Seriously.



Posted by Brigitte in Cape Town, SA @ 06:27 on Mar 6 2007

Your band Rocks.



The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

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