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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Southville

Southville
Freedom's Tree

Street Date: October 6, 2017
Style: Worship / Gospel



With the absurd influx of worship artists in the CCM market, it's a bit of a miracle when you find something beautiful amidst the noise. There are plenty of copycats, the occasional artist straight out of crazy town, and on the rare occasion we find artists that transcend their genre. UK based indie band Southville is one of those rare jewels and they prove it with their latest release, Freedom's Tree.

Right from the start, the band hits the ground running with "Strong." Utilizing imagery from Genesis, the song is used to remind listeners that God has, and always will be, with His people and be their strength. Themes of creation, redemption, and sovereignty permeate the album, but in a relatable manner. From this reviewer's perspective, it seems that the thread tying the album together would relate well with Jeremiah 32:38, "They will be my people, and I will be their God." Songs like, "Creator God" and "God Has Spoken" are great examples of this as they declare that God is in control and redemption is His plan.

Lyrically, the album keeps Trinitarian orthodoxy in plain view, which is both admirable and impressive. Within many contemporary worship songs, the persons of the Trinity are sometimes used interchangeably when they shouldn't be. For instance, "Valiant" clearly distinguishes the Father and the Son as Keren Felix sings, "The joy ahead, the plan of God / The victor's crown, was won by blood / The shame I've felt, the wrong I've done / Are washed away, by Christ the son." Furthermore, "Your Love" is clearly a song about the Holy Spirit, who the Church does not have an overwhelming amount of songs about.

The hard work of Southville has most definitely paid off with Freedom's Tree. Musically, the band's instrumentation and production is at an extremely high caliber, even a bit higher than some mainstream contemporaries. Listeners looking for Bible-based lyrics with a familiar yet unique sound will find a special gift with this release. Worship leaders also need to take note of how many of these songs can be used in a congregational setting, for adult and student gatherings. Before the year ends, get your hands and ears on this beauty, you won't regret it.

- Review date: 10/5/17, written by Ryan Barbee of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: Elim Sound Publishing
. Album length: 10 tracks: 45 minutes, 1 second
. Street Date: October 6, 2017
. Buy It: iTunes
. Download It: AmazonMP3

  1. Strong (4:31)
  2. Every Call (4:25)
  3. Creator God (4:55)
  4. Always (5:05)
  5. Your Love (5:51)
  6. Valiant (3:51)
  7. Freedom's Tree (4:57)
  8. The Race (3:03)
  9. God Has Spoken (4:43)
  10. Boundless (3:40)

 

 

 

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This Friday, March 17, 2023
ALBUMS
Benjamin William Hastings Benjamin William Hastings (And Then Some) [Capitol CMG]
Bethel Music Come Up Here [Bethel Music]
Consumed By Fire First Things First - EP [Red Street]
HLE Take Heart [Motown Gospel]
Integrity's Hosanna! Music Songs of Hope [Integrity]
Narnia Ghost Town (independent)
Buddy Mullins Fearless [StowTown]
The Primitive Quartet Stay Their Arms [Crossroads]
Shane & Shane Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs (Live) [Worship Initiative]
Michael W. Smith Worship Forever (Extended Edition) [MWS]
Still Worship Harp Vol. 1 [Integrity]
World Gone Cold World Gone Cold - EP [Rockfest]

SINGLES
Apollo LTD Redemption Song - Single [Centricity]
Caleb & John Hallelujah Feeling - Single [Fair Trade]
Cody Carnes Who is This Man - Single [Capitol CMG]
InSalvation Hij Leeft - Single [Integrated Music]
LaTocha I'm Yours - Single [Capitol CMG]
Jackson Michelson Three (feat. Point of Grace) - Single [Curb/Word]
Sarah Reeves Wanna Be Here - Single [Curb/Word]
Cade Thompson Tears - Single [Red Street]
Phil Wickham Sunday is Coming - Single [Fair Trade]
Mitch Wong Burial (feat. Hope Darst) - Single [Integrity]


Next Friday, March 24, 2023
ALBUMS
August Burns Red Death Below [SharpTone] The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 1 & 2 [Crossroads] Owl City Coco Moon (independent)
Project 86 OMNI, Part 1 (independent)
Stockholm Worship Other Side [Capitol CMG] Micah Tyler People Like US - EP [Fair Trade]
Wilder Woods FEVER / SKY (independent)

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Amy Grant Trees We'll Never See - Single [AG/Capitol] Housefires Can't Nobody - Single [Capitol CMG/Tribl]


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