Audio Adrenaline - Underdog

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

"Some Kind Of Zombie" was a stone classic and such was its impact Stateside that this peppy followup has zoomed straight to the number one spot in America's CCM charts. It deserves its big success. Here's a band who, having found a coherent style, are still prepared to ring the stylistic changes from song to song. Having said that, AA still retain their stylistic coherence thanks largely to vocalist Mark Stuart, today one of the most recognisable voices in American CCM. New guitarist Tyler Burkum keeps the high octane licks coming that are now their trademark. As well as the hooky pop rockers like "Mighty Good Leader" and the title track, the set also sports a fun filled rockabilly romp "DC-10", a Massive Attack-style duet with Jennifer Knapp (how much longer must we wait for HER new album?), an infectious tubthumper "Get Down" which reminded the Alliance Music Good Music Guide journo of Chumbawumba; and even a souped up hymn "It Is Well With My Soul". As a fine example of American pop rock which also carries a hefty spiritual wallop in the lyric department, this is another superlative set.