Review Summary: A nice debut from a unique music group
This debut album from group Future of Forestry is an ambient type of CD that is a different type of sound for a Christian artist. Future of Forestry developed from a break up. Not only a break up of a band but also a relationship. This band was created by Eric Owyoung who, with his wife Malina Owyoung, used to perform in Something Like Silas. But a divorce occurred for the young Eric and eventually the band Something Like Silas broke up.
The young artist had a soul searching experience and literally drove to go seek God. He needed direction in his life. He actually stopped in the Redwood Forest and found himself finding God again in that forest. He then later decided to come back and work in the Christian music scene. This time though he decided he needed a new band name and a new direction.
This new direction started Future of Forestry. Which is a name derived from a C.S. Lewis poem of the same name. Future of Forestry was definitely a different sound than expected. This first album from them has some interesting moments of musical identity that Something Like Silas never had. Some have compared their sound to Sigur Ros, Radiohead, The Violet Burning, and U2 during the Unforgettable Fire era.
The band’s new direction had them with a new ambient sound and a different type of “worship” music. One of these new sounds comes from one of my favorite songs on the album called Sanctitatis. This song has some interesting lyrics “Vere Sanctus es, Domine Fons omnis sanctitatis, Domine” which means “Truly Holy, the Lord of All holiness, our Lord.” The song is well constructed with bells and is mostly instrumental sounds that build up to a great climax. It’s the closest this album gets to worship.
The rest of the album is really well written but its lyrics are vague at times that it could be about love, lost, or just joy. “All I Want” is a song that could be placed on many U2 albums. It has an epic sound that really grabs you. And Eric’s voice works well with the tune as he sings “You're all I want, You're all I'll find, You have my heart forever.” Then there are songs like “If You Find Her” which is a well written acoustic song with mostly guitar and vocals. This is where Eric really shows his talent in singing. This is another highlight on the album.
Some other great songs are “Gazing”, “Sunrising”, and “Thinking of You” are great songs and are not what many would consider Christian music. There are some songs that are misses though. I am not much on “Stay Beside Me” or “You and I.”
A great album that launched a new career for the talented singer and songwriter Eric Owyoung. And if you like this album make sure to check out his Travel series. There are 3 EPs that each have 6 songs. They are a concept album that each took a theme of travel by land, air, and sea. Each one is unique and an improvement in style and sound from this album.
