Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

It’s been three years and two bass players since the band last released an album and that was ‘63’. These days album title and band name have morphed into one and it’s a revitalised Tree 63 who unleash this beaut of an album. Having gone through line up changes and management problems, they finally emerge from the studio with the best thing they’ve ever done. Always slightly uncomfortable with the tag of worship band, there isn’t a single song here that could be sung in your church but one thing’s for sure, you couldn’t get a more spiritual album even though the JPM count is zero! Music has moved on since 1999 and so have Tree 63! Characteristically, John Ellis has lost none of his skill for penning ridiculously catchy songs all delivered with his usual Sting-like vocals. Since society kissed God goodbye last century, outside of the cosy closeted Church, contemporary life has become relative and absolute truth has been on a respirator for some time. Fighting back, Tree 63 deliver an album packed with songs that deal with this and other big issues in an effort to create Christian music that actually has more than candyfloss for lyrics. On top of that, the band have created the kind of emotive rock music that sends tingles down the spine. Standouts? There are a couple I’d like to mention! “All Hands” is a candidate for song of the year in the Rimmer household - all gutsy guitar and a punch the air chorus. There are wonderful rockers like “The Glorious Ones”, “Be All And End All” and the suitably frantic “Anxious Seat” which have cutting edge rock production with all the whistles and bells in the right places. Good old Pro Tools eh? And then there’s the gentle majesty of the dreamy “All Because” and the stunning “How Did I Sleep?” which is a poetic, reflective reminder of what life separated from God used to feel like. ‘The Life And Times Of Absolute Truth” is an early contender for album of the year with its gritty, challenging lyrics and state of the art rock.