but the project surrounding them is distressingly rote 
(ROOT (S (CC but) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN project)) (VP (VBG surrounding) (NP (PRP them)))) (VP (VBZ is) (ADJP (RB distressingly) (JJ rote)))))
(ROOT (S (CC ) (NP (NP (DT ) (NN )) (VP (VBG ) (NP (PRP )))) (VP (VBZ ) (ADJP (RB ) (JJ )))))