Originally released : 03-08-2004
Release date        : 05-03-2004
Album name          : Sunrise Over Sea
Artist              : The John Butler Trio

Ripped by           : frink
Genre               : Folk-Rock
Label               : Jarrah Records

Encoding Software   : Lame EOS
Quality             : --alt-preset standard

Tracks              : 13
Size of Files       : 104,9 MB

01  04:47  Treat Yo Mama
02  06:48  Peaches & Cream
03  04:39  Company Sin
04  05:21  What You Want
05  01:48  Damned To Hell
06  04:26  Hello
07  06:08  Bound To Ramble
08  06:14  Seeing Angels
09  03:37  There'll Come A Time
10  03:57  Zebra
11  02:25  Mist
12  05:10  Oldman
13  21:59  Sometimes

Total time: 77:19 min

In the 1988 rock film 'Rattle & Hum', U2's bassist Adam
Clayton defended his band from critics who said that
music and politics were mutually exclusive. 16 years
later and while the group is still the biggest in the
world, they still have their detractors. Midnight Oil
are another band who were constantly told to just shut
up and play the music. As the star continues to rise
for American born, Australian based roots artist John
Butler, he is also faced with the same dilemma: does he
stick to his guns and be a voice for a range of worthy
causes or does he simply just shut up?

The thing is, what he speaks about is who he is. It's
like Justin Timberlake not talking about hot women, it
wouldn't be right. Ultimately, as long as he speaks
from the heart and the music is of a high quality then
who are we to question? On his third full-length album,
John Butler and his ever-revolving door Trio (this time
it is Bassist Shannon Birchall and brother-in-law Nicky
Bomba on the skins) are all about coming from the heart
over the 13 songs that make up 'Sunrise Over Sea'.

The preservation of Mother Earth ('Treat Yo Mama',
'There'll Come A Time') and the eradication of big
corporation (The wonderful 'Company Sin') are still
high on Butler's agenda, but it's the more reflective
songs that show he has more to offer than just damning
the politicians.

'Hello' deals with a former friend now totally
dependant on drugs, warning him that: "Your gonna wind
up in the lockup some day." On a lighter note, Butler
pays homage to his wife (who sings backup vocals on a
handful of songs) and young daughter on the tracks
'Peaches & Cream' and 'Seeing Angels'.

And not unlike Midnight Oil, JBT mature musically with
each release. A surprising claim, considering only
three songs break the six-minute barrier. Whilst
dropping the long jam sessions, as shown on 2001s
'Three', may find some fans playing the sell-out card,
it all makes for an album of tight frenetic songs that
still have the chance to be expanded in a live setting.

Nicky Bomba's reggae background comes to fore on lead
single 'Zebra' and a solid attempt at Appalachian Folk
can be heard on the short ditty 'Damned To Hell'.
However it is 'What You Want' that stands out from the
rest. Sounding like something from the Incubus cannon,
this simple rock ballad is layered with some lush
string orchestration that will have radio station
programmers wetting their pants.

But purists don't be alarmed! 'Sunrise Over Sea', while
making some bold moves is not a complete commercial
crossover like Springsteen's 'Born In The U.S.A.' or
the Dave Matthews Band's 'Everyday'. Butler knows full
well how the game works and at the moment he is playing
it quite nicely. It's all about giving a little to get
a little, and with 'Sunrise Over Sea', Butler deserves
all the plaudits that will no doubt come his way.
-'Disco' Stu McPhee  (www.earmedicine.com)

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