Reviewed by Shelby Foster

It is difficult to get excited, or even gently ruffled, about this release. All music is, essentially, a reinterpretation of what has gone before. But some, like that on offer here, sounds like a dead language. Seventh Day Slumber create a sound that is undeniably American Christian AOR-cum-grunge, which is initially surprising for a band that sport nu-metal goatees and dreds. This isn’t P.O.D., but a collection of big, acoustic flavoured AOR anthems. Granted, the guitars occasionally rock (“Running Away” and “Innocence”), but they rarely manage to ROCK. The vocals are very strong - no problem holding a tune - but lack real distinctiveness. This should not inhibit success on Christian radio though, since it thrives on inspirational rockers with clean, smooth vocals and faith-affirming lyrics. “Innocence”, a darker, heavier number dealing with sexual abuse, probably won’t make it, but a number of others have the potential. Most notably, album closer “When The Children Cry” with its frothy, tear-jerking melody and lyric, "When the children cry, let ‘em know that we tried/When the children sing, then the new world begins." Maybe this song is more subversive than its polished façade suggests though, as another lyric looks forward to a day when there will be "No more Presidents, and all the wars will end." A political statement, or just a coincidence?

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