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    Reviews

    "Back To You" Review

    ALETEIA

    ART & CULTURE

    Catholic priest’s band ‘brothersister’ is back with a powerful new single

    J-P Mauro - published on 03/27/22

     

    "Back to You" is a song that encourages us to examine our faith and return to God.

    It’s been a few years since the priest-led band brothersister broke onto the scene with their fantastic debut album, So Shine. Now Fr. Lawrence Tucker, the driving songwriting force behind brothersister, is back showing off the fruits of his labors during the world pandemic: the new single, “Back to You.” 

    The song opens like the dawn of a new day, with a cascading guitar line that gives the impression of sunlight slowly creeping through a window frame. This introduction gives rise to well-rounded vocals of Deirdre Broderick, who previously sang on So Shine. Broderick was (forgive the pun) instrumental to this track, taking on the additional roles of arranger and producer of “Back to You.”

    The vocals and exceptional licks from the lead guitar work to support the lyrics, which tell the story of a return to faith. The words are simply stated, but they speak to the deep-seated desire for the presence of God in one’s life. “Back to You” encourages listeners to examine their own relationship with God and to identify the Truth of the faith to which we are all called.

    Fr. Tucker was kind enough to sit down with Aleteia and talk about brothersister’s latest release, as well as his approach to songwriting.

    What was the inspiration behind your new song, “Back to You”?

    In my experience as a priest, I have noticed that many people, due in large part to the secularization of society, are struggling in their relationship with God, or with the Church, and there is an internal “debate” going on in their conscience, as well as at the emotional level. And so I thought it might be helpful to bring this interior dialogue into the open and articulate it in the context of a song.

    How does admitting to God our own wrongdoings benefit our spiritual life? Conversely, what does it mean to acknowledge that God is correct?

    By humbly admitting that we sometimes make wrong choices and go astray, we become perfect candidates for renewal, and a path out of the darkness of pride opens up for us. Acknowledging that God knows more than us and that his way is always the right way breaks the chains of our self-destructive, isolating pride and sets us free for love and communion.

    Can you explain how the musical elements relate to the relationship between us and God?

    The song starts out with a gentle melody consisting of four notes moving up the scale. That little melody is then met by another sweet melody coming down the scale. The idea here is to indicate that a decision involving two options is being mulled over. So the stage is now set but the question remains: “What sort of decision is this? Is it a common,’trivial’ decision?”

    At this point, deftly, but with power and depth, the strings enter into the musical space to state in a clear, unequivocal way that, far from being superficial, this is a serious, personal decision with existential ramifications.

    As the music steadily builds in a crescendo, the “protagonist” finally reaches an apogee where the entire discussion moves from the head to the heart … from cognitive to emotional clarity … and this is precisely where David Spinozza, one of the most accomplished guitarists of our times, steps onto the stage and, drawing upon his extensive background in R&B/Rock, gives a breathtaking, heart-wrenching “performance for the ages” that expresses the deep feelings associated with a sincere conversion of heart.

    What’s it like to create music as a priest? How does your vocation shape your craft?

    I am essentially a contemplative missionary who spends at least three hours a day in quiet, contemplative prayer. Therefore, I see my songs as prayers that are the fruit of my contemplative union with God. I don’t consciously write liturgical music; there already exists a huge body of liturgical music by great artists like … John Michael Talbot, Hermana Glenda, and The St. Louis Jesuits.

    What we are trying to do in brothersister is to offer the listener inspirational music that is a unique blend of contemplative depth and “missionary-spunk.” For me personally, writing music/songs is a way to do missionary outreach that enables me to communicate the good news to people all around the globe I would not otherwise be able to reach. We have people visiting our website from almost every nation on the planet.

    We are hoping to release another single this coming summer. 

    Brothersister’s excellent brand of Catholic music is available on Spotify and Apple Music. While you’re there, be sure to listen through their phenomenal debut album So Shine.

    Go to Aleteia website!

    Interviews

    Listen to "Episode 99: Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Fr. Lawrence Tucker, SOLT, on his New Song entitled The Main Part (January 28, 2021)" on Spreaker.
    Listen to "Episode 123: Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Fr. Larry Tucker, SOLT, concerning his new single entitled "As a Gift" (September 9, 2021)" on Spreaker.

    Album REVIEW

    ALETEIA

    So Shine album review

     ART & CULTURE

    Priest-led band’s debut album is a wonderful turn for Catholic music

    J-P Mauro | Jun 29, 2020

    ‘So Shine’ strikes an excellent balance between Catholic hymns and classic rock.

    A new band has dropped into the Catholic music scene, and their tunes are unlike anything else in the genre. Brothersister released their debut album, So Shine, a collection of musical compositions by Fr. Lawrence Tucker, a missionary priest in The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, who’s style strikes an impeccable balance between Catholic hymns and classic rock.

    Each of the 10 songs on the album has a different feel and style, with exceptional musicality displayed in each of the arrangements. The first track, “The Burden That Is Light,” opens up with a 90s grunge-rock guitar filter that perfectly suites the bouncing rhythm and catchy hook of the chorus. The suspended chords over the bridge with accents of overtones were perfectly employed and mesmerizing to listen to.

    The following track, “Jesus Is in His Garden,” was equally impressive. Opening with drawn-out ethereal sounds, it takes on an unusual rhythm that meshes so well with an eerie, creeping bass line. We especially liked the way the arrangement used a violin to produce quarter-tones that gave the tune a distinctly Middle-Eastern quality and drew the mind to the Garden of Gethsemane.

    While these first two are quite rocking, there are others in the album that are much more hymn-like and would be perfectly at home in a Sunday service. “I’ve Come to See” would make an excellent Christmastime song, and the gentle “You Were Waiting” is a beautiful ballad accompanied by piano and acoustic guitar.

    Brothersister’s first album is so good largely thanks to Deirdre Broderick, who provided the lead vocals and some instrument work, all while arranging and producing the record. With a voice that brings to mind Karen Carpenter, she brought Fr. Tucker’s vision to fruition in style. Her vocals are strong, but without bombast, complementing without overpowering the other important elements of the music.

    Speaking of which, one of our favorite aspects of So Shine, and what truly sets the group apart from other Catholic musical acts, is the exceptional use of guitar solos, provided by David Spinozza. These solos are expertly crafted and display seasoned skill on the fret board, embellishing many of the songs with just the right electric flair.

    From start to finish, So Shine makes for a great 47 minutes of listening. Brothersister’s faithful lyrics offer interesting perspectives on Christian life, many of which are worthy of reflection. The song “Plastic World,” for instance, warns of the dangers of the material world:

    Hey you in your little shack
    Don’t look back
    Your dreams lie straight ahead
    And don’t look up to the plastic world
    That wants to make you a slave
    And drive you to your grave
    When they come by just pray
    And that’s how you’ll be saved

    So Shine is available for listening on Spotify. To learn more about the band and support their mission, visit the Brothersister website.

    Go to Aleteia!
    “Let your light so shine before all, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

    — Matthew 5:16

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