"O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL" FUTURE OF FORESTRY (2013)

So much of the Christmas season, for me, is all about the music. I have no problems with you if you want to start your Christmas celebrations a little early. After Halloween seems excessive. After Thanksgiving is fair game. Then let’s bring on the real Christmas songs and the fake ones, too. I don’t discriminate. From Dec 16-31, it’s all Christmas music playing on Mental Jukebox.

Over a five-year period, Future of Forestry put together their Advent Christmas EP series. Out of that came a collection of highly reflective, meditative Christmas songs that are more suited to listen to in solitude than in a crowded shopping mall or holiday party. “O Come All Ye Faithful” keeps the reason for the season central, sung and performed in undeniable reverence. The intricate layers of instrumentation are a thing of beauty as the song ushers the listener into a state of adoration. But it’s at the 2:34 mark where my mind is blown with an unexpectedly vigorous guitar-led conclusion.

“SING, CHOIRS OF ANGELS. SING IN EXULTATION. SING, ALL YE CITIZENS OF HEAVEN ABOVE. GLORY TO GOD. ALL GLORY IN THE HIGHEST. O COME, LET US ADORE HIM.”

"O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL" FUTURE OF FORESTRY (2013)

If you haven’t celebrated with this one or heard this one yet, you should. Over a five year period, Future of Forestry put together the Advent Christmas EP series. Out of that came a catalog of highly reflective, meditative Christmas songs. “O Come All Ye Faithful” is my favorite. It kept the reason for the season central. But it blew my mind at the 2:34 mark with an unexpected, forceful guitar conclusion.

“Sing, choirs of angels. Sing in exultation. Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above. Glory to God. All glory in the highest. O come, let us adore Him.”

"TRAVELER'S SONG" FUTURE OF FORESTRY (2009)

This song comes from one of the best bands you possibly never heard of. Future of Forestry took their name from a poem written by C.S. Lewis. With “Traveler’s Song”, they did something ingenious. The song itself takes you on a musical journey, through a soundscape of guitar harmonics, shimmering synthesizer effects and falsetto vocals. And the journey is delectable. Turn it up and soak it all in.

“If you travel here, you will feel it all. The brightest and the darkest. If you travel here, listen to your heart. And take with you what lasts forever.”