It is no surprise to even infrequent readers here that music plays a rather large role in my life. I listen to music for the most part of most of my days. Music plays while I study, while I write, while I exercise and while I drive.

I like just about every kind of music (with the exception of much “modern” country). In fact, it’s sometimes a running joke around our church offices that the music coming from my office might not even be in English (if it has any words at all).

When someone likes music as much as I do, it’s inevitable that opinions will begin to develop. This is even more the case when the music lover in question is also a devoted follower of Christ. Not only have I developed ideas about what kinds of music I prefer and why but also about how our faith relates to all areas of life, including music.

As much as I wish it were not so, I am quite disappointed with most “Christian” music (you can read some thoughts here, here and here to mention just a few). Though I don’t want to re-hash old topics here, I will say that for the most part, the message has become the medium and for most within the ranks of “CCM,” it is not about art but about propaganda and everything suffers and everyone knows it. The message has become so much the only focus that we look at what the “world” was doing six months ago, we try to replace all of the content, give it back to them (but not done as well) and wonder why it is that they don’t take us seriously.

But every once in a while, I come across something that reminds me that to be Christian is not necessarily to be a culture copycat. What’s even more startling is when those discoveries are from artists long-gone rather than on the current “cutting edge.” I recently had just such an experience when I heard for the first time the four-CD box set, The Christ Tree by the band known as The Trees Community.

Their official website says that they were “a live-together Christian contemplative group. Our traveling life in the 1970�s was shared publicly, across America and Canada, through original music and in general service.” The community came together and often worshipped through music, which led them to sometimes tour behind this music. Though they typically toured at 7 members, the “band” often swelled up to 12-14 members. And you just thought the Polyphonic Spree was original.

The box set itself unfolds to form the shape of a cross and includes extensive liner notes including biographical information on every consistent member. Though the sound quality is not crystal clear, it is amazing considering that one CD came from the only existing source, an old cassette tape and many of the reels had suffered considerable damage. There is also some repetition with several of the songs presented in a couple of different contexts, including two live performances.

So what can be said of the music? What makes this 65-song set worth wading through, which it certainly is? The music skillfully combines Indian ragas, psychedelic rock, folk, classical, gamelan and often just about everything in between. But whereas such eclecticism often ends up being forced and disjointed, it works here. Part of the reason it works is that there is a recognition that their Christian faith bridges all of the gaps that might otherwise keep such cultures apart. The eclectic approach is not forced and in fact is often used as a point of medication.

The lyrics are often straight Scripture, including Psalms 42, 44, 45 and 46 or meditations on the Scriptural portrayals of Christ or his work of reconciliation. These emphases serve to cover any theological concerns which may be present in the individual members’ theology (I’ve read about hints of Bhuddism and some other elements but none of this surfaces in the music).

This music certainly will not appeal to everyone. It is creative, adventurous and not polished but it is sincere and moving and fans of world music and the recent “freak folk” movements will find much to appreciate. It is refreshing to find artists pushing the boundaries of creativity in the name of Christ and it is convicting that there have been so few since the passing of this wonderful collective.

• Visit the official website (and sample music here)
• Purchase the box set for yourself
• Read the 5-star review from Allmusic
• Read the 8.6 review from Pitchfork
• Read the A+ review from Stylus