Biography
I first encountered Scott Williamson when he and his sisters Aimee Joy and Kara formed the unique Christian worship band, Three Strand, right around the turn of the century. Their tight vocal harmonies recalled another sibling vocal trio, Jesus Movement legends, the 2nd Chapter of Acts. More than a decade later I got my hands on Scott’s solo project, appropriately titled Biography, and it is pretty much nothing like that original Three Strand CD.
Biography
By Scott Williamson
Independent
Where Three Strand was all about vocal harmonies and vertical lyrics, Williamson’s solo project is intropective and moody. Where Three Strand was straight up pop with a healthy dose of cinematic orchestra, Biography is jazzy, meandering rock ‘n’ roll. While the differences are stark and startling, they also serve to underscore Scott Williamson’s personal growth, both musically and spiritually.
The eight-song project opens strongly with a Billy Joel-esque jazz piano number called, “That’s What Joy Feels Like.” Lyrically this happy little ditty reveals all the dichotomies of faith and doubt. Sitting here it’s so clear/ I can over-intellectualize/ Wouldn’t you agree?/ A sublime waste of time. The theme continues in the potent autobiographical anthemic title track, “Biography.” Doubt takes center stage in “I Can’t Hear You,” although hope still peeks through to proclaim, You never give up on me.
Biography is a challenging CD for a Christian artist to make, and it’s a little challenging for a Christian audience to listen to. Too many questions, not enough answers for CCM radio. And yet, perhaps it is its very honesty that makes it such a remarkably Christian album. I suspect this one will find more fans in the general market.
