They say playing classical music is good for the babies, so if that's true,
I'd prescribe a healthy dose of Copeland to the teenagers and
twentysomethings out there. From the opening lines of the first quiet song
to the rock that comes in shortly afterwards, this disc is all about getting
through the hard times in life. Also this week, witness the return of
cMusicWeb.com as we hope to keep the site much more updated than it has been
in the past month. For example, this weekend we will have a look at the
SoulFest festival and how the bands stacked up against each other.

GOT COMMENTS?? - We want your input on cMusicWeb.com! Send it to
webmaster@... or find me on AOL IM.

UNSUBSCRIBE?? - Logon to http://groups.yahoo.com to do so, or drop us an
e-mail telling us why you're annoyed by hearing from us.


BENEATH MEDICINE TREE - COPELAND (2003)
by Hollie Stewart

Music, as much as any art, has been used as a balm for fragile wounds. When
music is used in such a manner, it rings honest and heals other cracked
hearts. Sir Phillip Sidney wrote how poetry was used to relieve one's
senses from the damaged world surrounding, and Beneath Medicine Tree has
this same soothing effect. While Aaron Marsh struggled with the
hospitalization of two close friends, these songs poured out frustration and
healing. Due to this transparency, listeners can find healing as well.

Copeland takes delicate instrumentation and intimate lyrics to craft a
hospital of rest without the cold, sterile environment. "Testing The Strong
Ones" and "When Finally Set Free" discuss the purpose behind pain. Marsh
states how this hurt is "testing the strong ones / It's scarring the
beautiful ones / It's holding the loved ones one last time" ("Testing The
Strong Ones"). A similar yet more progressive thought appears in "When
Finally Set Free": "Feel the pain teaching us how much more we can take /
Reminding us how far we've come." Pain serves as a testing ground, proving
the strength of the suffering. Many lessons are only learned by walking
through valleys the color of death. "Take Care" speaks of serving the
hurting: "Don't lift a finger / Let me show you the only way to let this go
/ Don't lift a finger / Let me hold you here until the pain is all gone."
Through this song we once again see the heartache involved on both sides of
the hospital room, especially when Marsh adds, "Soon enough my strength will
return."

Strength does return in glimpses throughout many of these songs. "She
Changes Your Mind" sings of this: "It was your 'hello' that kept me hanging
on every word / And your 'goodbye' that keeps me listening for your voice
around each corner." By maintaining the memory, the one left behind can
continue walking, even if the walking is difficult.

As much as pain is chronicled in this project, Beneath Medicine Tree
contains some deliciously light notes. The songs "Coffee," "Walking
Downtown" and "There Cannot be a Close Second" discuss relationships:
grabbing coffee with a girl, admiring beauty, and embracing an other-worldly
purity within love. The guitars, keys, and drums coincide with the
light-hearted feel of these tracks, and Marsh's voice rings high and soft
with pure falsetto. "When Paula Sparks" showcases the musical genius of
Copeland in a well-balanced manner. It starts with a soft tempo and hints
of harmony, almost ethereal. With the onset of the second chorus, the
overdrive rises with heavy guitars. "When Paula Sparks" lets loose with the
most energy by far, and it showcases the strength of Marsh's voice to yell
with passion and still maintain his light vocals.

Throughout the lyrics one can detect snippets of spirituality. Many times
the second person addressed dances between the deceased loved one and the
Creator. Hidden beneath layers of beautiful imagery, the seeker can find
God peeking through with a light not blinding, yet apparent. The music has
a sense of depth not often seen in bands on major Christian labels, and one
can't help reflect on lying beneath a tree that offers healing. Copeland's
honesty, transparent as IV lines, feeds the listener with music that will
help aid the healing process of a damaged society.

Find out more about Copeland at their official site:
http://www.thecopelandsite.com/


MORE NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

Review: Caedmon's Call - Chronicles
http://cMusicWeb.com/folk/caedmonscall/chronicles.shtml

Review: Out of Eden - Love, Peace and Happiness
http://cMusicWeb.com/hiphop/outofeden/lovepeaceandhappiness.shtml

Review: Rock 'n' Roll Worship Circus - The Listening EP
http://cMusicWeb.com/worship/worshipcircus/listening.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, AUGUST 10 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

PURCHASE THIS MUSIC AND MORE AT GRASSROOTSMUSIC.COM:
http://www.grassrootsmusic.com/?associateid=249

FERNANDO ORTEGA - FERNANDO ORTEGA
After years as Word Records' Inspirational format baby, Ortega has moved on
to Curb Records. But this time around you will find Fernando digging more
deeply to find his transparent lyrics. Ortega also explores more of folk,
jazz, and even a bit of rock on this release, which is already being hailed
his best yet.

A MAN CAN CHANGE HIS STARS - MOURNING SEPTEMBER
Floodgate Records is doing a good job at making inroads into the Christian
punk rock market. Joining bands such as Number One Gun, Denison Marrs, and
East West is Mourning September. Their debut offers some good rock tunes but
fails to really distinguish itself from the likes of Number One Gun and the
Evan Anthem. Nevertheless, this band may grow in time so keep an eye on
them.

THE PUREST PLACE - WATERMARK
Although Christy Nockels openly admits that their sophomore disc, All Things
New, is probably their best work yet, The Purest Place would be my pick for
close second. This PICK OF THE WEEK includes a couple worship songs the duo
has performed on Passion CDs and showcases the ever-impressive production
work of Nathan Nockels.

SIMPLY NOTHING - SHAWN McDONALD
Not at all a surprise for a new Sparrow artist, the pretty-boy McDonald
delivers the usual acoustic-tinged pop with the God-centered, worshipful
lyrics.


Thanks for reading this week's cMusicMail, and we'll be back next week with
even more great content. If you have any comments or questions, please reply
to this e-mail or send them to webmaster@.... We'd love to hear
from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
AOL IM - dMusicWeb