Criminal Tree begins with the soundscape of Golgotha 2000 years ago; the echo of nails being driven from the right hand to the left hand in the stereo field. Much of the percussion is a stomp and clap so as to invoke the emotions of a march or journey. Metaphorically a march through John Bunyan’s Vanity Fair away from slavery to sin, self, pride, desire, materialism, and everything offered therein.
I’m often reminded if I could lose myself to these things I certainly would. This is where the holding power of God meets us and overcomes our weakness. In Verse four it’s likened to a chain with God completing his work, link upon link, until the author of our faith also finishes our faith.
The last verse of the song is a prayer to both live and die held fast in Christ's righteousness. All we’ve done bears a damning account against us; may all we have done be covered in the blood of our Saviour.
This song is the journey of a fellow traveller from a place of contented distraction and pride, to brokenness and surrender. Falling from their lofty perch in the tower of self, the traveller comes to the realization that there is but one essential thing before he dies. The stripping away of his pride leaves him dashed to pieces with nothing, and yet on the other side of sorrow he finds the burden is light.
Release Date: October 20, 2023
Performed by: Jason Hofer
Written by: Jason Hofer
Produced by: Jason Hofer
Associate Producer: Joal Kamps
Engineered, Mixed, and Mastered by: Refinery Record Room
Recorded at: Refinery Record Room
CanCon: 100% MAPL