Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I've long been a fan of Max Hsu, the genius producer who is the driving force behind this Californian ensemble (recent visitors to the UK when they played The Ultimate Event) and he pulls out all the stops here to neatly fill Christendom's pop/punk/female lead singer niche. No other band on the scene make catchier, more radio-friendly music while the positive lyrics, unlike the woeful fare of most mainstream pop punk, radiates with messages of self-esteem and hope. Speaking straight to the lifestyles of a whole teenage generation, Hsu sharpens his songwriting pen, eg, "You need that boy like a bowling ball dropped on your head/That means not at all." The skill in using humour to make their spiritual points is unrelenting while the treated vocals and clean drum programming keep the foot tapping. It's ironic that the title track is a break from the usual upbeat sound of the group. One reviewer suggested it wouldn't have sounded out of place on a Sarah McLachlan album which is praise indeed for Tricia Brock's creamily emotive vocal. The message of eternal hope in "Beauty From Pain" ("After all this has passed/I still will remain/After I've cried my last/There will be beauty from pain") truly hits home. A gem with strong appeal to more adult tastes. But if you like Superchic(k)'s hot pop with gutsy punk guitars interspersed with occasional bits of reggae and rap, there's plenty of that too.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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