There are a lot of things you can say about music in general these days. Most of those things are bad and involve the repetitiveness of music and the how fake new artists seem to be. Copeland avoids such mediocrity, and their album Beneath Medicine Tree is proof.

From the opening track, you know you've discovered something wonderful and different. "Brightest" may be best described as a poem set to piano than a song. The beautiful words speak of memories and reconciliation, a theme that seems to run throughout the album, "If you find yourself here / On my side of town / I pray that you'd come to my door / And talk to me / Like you don't know / What we ever fought about / I don't remember anymore"

With tracks like "California," "Walking Downtown," and the classic "Coffee," one can hardly listen to this album and not remember their friends and loved ones. The album is not short of love songs either: "There Cannot Be a Close Second," "Take Care," "When Paula Sparks," and the song that pushes the album to the range of excellence, "Priceless." "Priceless" is the soul stirring third track that is written for a girl but whose lyrics could easily be sent towards God, "All of the world and all of it's powers / Couldn't keep your love from me... / I need you like the dragonfly's wings need the wind / Like the orphan needs home once again / Like heaven needs more to come in / I need you here like you've always been"

All of these amazing songs would be nothing without the superb music that melds so well with the lyrics, only making the songs more intriguing. If you are more of a music person than a lyrics person, you will find yourself going back to "When Paula Sparks" and "She Changes Your Mind" over and over again for the fantastic upbeat music and bright guitar riffs. You also won't soon forget the well-timed pause just before the last chorus of "Priceless."

Beneath Medicine Tree is a break from the ordinary, and a trip into your memories. The perfect balance of expert music, wonderful vocals and amazing lyrics make this album a must have for anyone who wants something more out of his or her music.

JFH Reader Review: written by Joshua Pritchard, 6/21/06, for Jesusfreakhideout.com