from cdreviews.com
by Anthony Bennett
Fearless Chicago quartet reaps reward for high ambition–as do the rest of us.
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“Enter action with boldness.”
This Law of Power (#28 to be exact) more effectively describes The Giving Tree Band than any others could. The Chicago folk quartet shares a name with the most beloved of Shel Silverstein’s poems; in doing so, they describe themselves as the tireless benefactors of an often unappreciative world, a very noble title for oneself. In keeping with this theme, they have released among the most risky of offerings right at the outset–a double album of original work, something only attempted by artists certain their music will hold far beyond the attention spans of the average listener toward the average work. Certainly not least of their acts of daring, they have labeled this titanic work Unified Folk Theory, a play on the scientific synonym for the Theory of Everything. Simply put, Unified Folk Theory sets itself up as the only folk album you’ll ever need.
Scary thing is, it just might be.
The album effectively covers every theme of traditional folk music, from the relentless optimism of the happy traveler, to the existential loneliness that strikes every wandering heart at times, to the exaltation of the simple love everyone wants, and the lucky find. Of 33 tracks, not one is a throwaway or a filler, although a few outshine the others; every song features the complex string compositions lesser artists usually reserve either for the highlights or the deep album cuts. Unified Folk Theory has all of the content of a double album, with none of the lopsidedness.
The first disc shines with several of the best folk songs you’re likely to hear in a long time. The opening “One Life at a Time”, a meditation on the passing of time, sets a blistering pace for the first half, kept unflinchingly until “Sunshine Baby”, a somewhat soft and relaxed love song, allows the vocals and listener to relax. The next love song to grace the album, “Honey Bee”, is easily the most complex song on the album. The somewhat unsettling melody is cast against a lightly depressed and indecisive vocal expounding on unrequited love (“If you need a reason to get out of town/I guess I’m the one that you should call...); the uncertainties of life, and especially of love, come out of the woodwork.
If the next notable work, the mandolin-dominated “How Can You Know?”, doesn’t leave you dancing, you’re listening to the wrong album. While it’s clearly a genre exercise, it’s a damn good one; the mountain rhythms of the genre provide the melody while the traveler’s bliss fills in the theme. If you’re a fan of folk, this is what you came for.
Among the highlights of the second are the instrumental waltz “Nada Yajna” and the laid-back lost-love anthem “Alabama Road”; the latter is almost a lullaby save a few adult elements (“If I ain’t drunk then I must be stoned for calling you up on the phone/But you’re driving down some Alabama road; I wish you were back at home”). The pinnacle, however, is “Blessed Are the Peacemakers”, the album’s only true experiment. The gifted instrumentalists practice a little restraint, muting the melody in favor of complex vocal harmonies and the strong overtones of peace conveyed by its Scripture-inspired title. It’ll put you to sleep, but in a good way.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Unified Folk Theory is that an album that sounds so complete and career-defining could indeed be a debut. The Giving Tree Band’s status as a band to watch is undeniable; if their next work approaches this quality, they’ll be a band not to be missed.
from Indie-Music Magazine
by Dan MacIntosh
Digging into a double CD from a new band is a scary proposition. I mean, what if I don’t like it? And if I don’t dig the music, how am I ever going to get through 32 unknown songs? The good news is that The Giving Tree Band, which so generously gives us this two-for release, is well worth all the extra listening time.
Eric Fink produced this disc, and also plays almost every instrument under the sun. But while he writes and sings songs, he’s not the only one contributing tunes. Bob Salihar, Todd Fink, and Patrick Burke also add to the song-fest fun. This means that the listener is treated to a wide variety of different voices.
The Giving Tree Band’s style most closely resembles bluegrass. But while the music is acoustic, the songs are by no means traditional. Instead, these talented players and singers take on real life issues using time-tested instruments. One of my favorite tracks is called “Nothing At All," where Burke admits that this song is about, well, nothing at all. It’s a little like the show-within-a-show on Seinfeld -- the show about nothing. But like Seinfeld, the listener hangs on every word, even though the tune admits to having nothing important to say.
Unified Folk Theory is an album that likely will blow you away because of its instrumental prowess. At first it seems a little strange to hear such diehard acoustic musicianship from Illinois boys. But let's not forget that Allison Krauss also comes from this neck of the woods and nobody ever questions her authenticity. Furthermore, these guys play as fast as Nashville cats, without sounding like hicks when they sing – a big plus for those who may suffer from bluegrass-phobia.
In addition to these four strong male voices, there are also female backing vocals on “Don’t Say Goodbye," "That Don’t Make It Easier” and “Oh My Mind."
It’s hard to find any faults with this act. Heck, they’re even environmentally aware. This disc includes a note that reads: “Ten trees will be planted for every 1,000 units to absorb CO2 gasses and pollutants created in the manufacturing and shipping process and two dollars from each sale will be donated to Hand In Hand USA.” The group then puts some of this activism into their music, exemplified by “Focus On Change."
I can easily see this band making a mark with the Americana crowd. Folks that dig King Wilke, and even softer side of Drive-By Truckers, will find something to appreciate about The Giving Tree Band. They say it’s better to give than to receive, and The Giving Tree Band gives us its very best with this effort.
from jazzreview.com
by Nina Goodrich
Containing 33 original songs, Unified Folk Theory is a double disc set manufactured in the most environmentally friendly manner at the wind-powered studios of Earthology Records. Beautiful custom illustrations on the recycled post-consumer paperboard cases are a labor of love by Chicago artist Ania Klimiuk.
Receiving rave reviews even before the release of Unified Folk Theory, The Giving Tree Band consists of four creative vocalists, musicians and songwriters, delighting audiences around the world. Back in their hometown—Chicago, the band is in constant demand for their lively all-acoustic performances.
Living what they sing, transforming words into a journey through time, The Giving Tree Band promotes wholesome, earth friendly living, giving back to the community through their songs and their gifts—raising funds for several organizations including Hand In Hand USA, Prairie Rivers Network and Growing Home Farm—providing job training and challenging employment opportunities for homeless and low-income people in the Chicago area. They also donate ten trees for every 1,000 CD sets sold.
Sharing their lives through the album Unified Folk Theory, the group sings of love won, love lost, mysteries of the universe and pleasantries of just ‘being’. “Sunshine Baby” is a rousing song of love—promising a commitment of love forever. Just as perky, yet a little more somber, “True Love” is a wistful searching for the real thing. Remembering a complex time, “Room Full of Boxes” tells a tale of living alone with boxes and a guitar while friends are out enjoying each other’s company.
Slower tempo, “Crooked Creek Crawl” cautions against being influenced or taken in by friends who are ‘not quite’ friends. Still folk, shaded with bluegrass, “Wild Girl” chronicles are young woman living too fast and the singer’s yearning for her to come on home. Ready to settle down, “Hit The Road” takes us into the author’s life at a time when he’s ready to build a home and get away from the empty lifestyle he’s been living.
After all the upbeat, spirited tunes, the band closes the album with a slow, melodic, enchanting “Blessed Are The Peacemakers.” This is a fitting end for a group believing in peace and unity.
With instruments crafted from fallen trees—one guitar was created from a recycled piano! and fashioned by a luthier; performing live without amps or use of electricity, this band is totally committed to their belief of creating a better world for everyone. With backgrounds in jazz, rock & roll, bluegrass and classical music, the band has played at The House of Blues and The Hard Rock Café. They have been on the playbill with Willy Porter, Andrea Kapsalis, Shri Patrick Marks, Pine Leaf Boys and with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. With perfect timing, The Giving Tree Band release their gifted talents through Unified Folk Theory while the world is coming together in an effort to preserve our planet.
from 93WXRT- Chicago
by Richard Milne
They write songs worth hearing.
from Oak Park Journal (Chicago Suburban Publication)
"A talented group of young singers...they have their own sound and style. The album features some incrediable instrument playing and lots of original songs written by the band. It is nice music, done well and with the best of intentions from start to finish."
from Music Emissions
by Mike Wood
"Unified Folk Theory" is a generous 33 song, two disc set of folk jazz and more folk that builds off of traditional instrumentation, subject matter and composition to extend into their own vision. This is not freak -folk, or New Folk or whatever; this is right on folk-based music that is inspired and channels the best the genre used to offer. The band has in the past donated time and song proceeds to local job training programs, which is better than a protest rally any day. The Giving Tree Band are from Chicago, and the four musicians are here to be judged on the music, not philanthropy, so let’s get to it. You believe the sincerity of such hopeful songs as "Sunshine Baby" and "Hit The Road," which vary tempos from ballad to stomp, with some bluegrass coloring to boot. You even believe, in their hands, a tune like "Blessed Are The Peacemakers," its sentiment devoid of irony, freak hippness, or of a sense of hippie wishful thinking.
The Giving Tree Band mean it and bring it home. There is something comforting to know that there can still be great hopeful music made, without conceit or naivety. A band that practice what they preach and evidence to show, on "Unified Folk Theory" GTB bring it all back home in a real way.
from Illinois Entertainer
by Jeff Berkwits
Songs like “Sunshine Baby” and “Where Am I?” capture the spirit of Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie...The group's collective heart is in the right place.
from "In Search of a Song" (Syndicated Radio Program) WTTS-Bloomington, IN
by Rich Reardin
The music falls together with a pop flair, and a down home polished country feel, like an old fishing tackle box with good rock hooks. The musicianship is flawless, and a step above the usual. I hear great songwriting, and passion for the concepts behind the words and music. This is a good mix of current subject songwriting, heartfelt themes, musicianship, and stands up to the best in the folk/newgrass/Americana music industry. I foresee a glorious sunrise light shining down through the
green canopy of leaves that stand above this band!"
from ChicagoAtHome.com
by Brian Campbell
The Giving Tree Band’s latest effort, Unified Folk Theory, is printed on 100 percent recycled materials. That statement, that act, is in short what this group of humanitarians are all about. Ten trees will be planted for every 1000 units of this record, and also the band is donating $2 of every sale to help benefit Hand in Hand USA. And believe it or not, that is just a small portion of the wonderful things the Giving Tree Band represents and is all about.
OK, enough about the kind things they do for the environment, and onto their music. Unified Folk Theory is truly a folk music opus. It is an unplugged look into the minds and hearts of the members of the band, driven by ethereal vocals and wonderful guitar plucking. This is a record with a lot of different sounds to indulge in, encompassing and encapsulating everything from dobros, harmonicas, pianos, whistles, ukuleles, chimes, banjitars, tambourines, mandolins and cellos, and that isn’t even the complete list of musical instruments these guys employ.
Unified Folk Theory is broken into two parts. No real reason, probably simply because they wanted to bestow a two disc gift on the listener. It is hard to pull off a two disc set without drums, but the Giving Tree Band pull it off splendidly. Recess is a standout track off the first disc due to its long and often guitar interludes and solos, which go to show the listener just what type of guitar talent this band has. Disc two shines with the upbeat bluegrass poppiness of Riddle of Love and Hit the Road, scores with the picturesque story of Lonesome Road and also the airy, country feel of Soul Bird. Not that it is any sort of a competition, but I would cast my vote for Disc Two being the better offering due to it’s multitude of varying sounds.
When you toss in Unified Folk Theory, get ready for a long ride, literally. Disc one houses 17 tracks, while disc two plays host to 16 more. In the end what you get is 33 tracks of an acoustic voyage, driven by beautiful vocals harmonies, great musicianship and guitar flair. Get ready to relax.
from World One Radio KECG
by Corey Mason
Love this...so fresh a sound! This record is tireless...ceaselessy refreshing and invigorating for this DJ's ears and heart.
The Giving Tree Band * Unified Folk Theory