Better Place

Sounds like … simple pop/rock that's generic enough to recall several Christian artists from the last ten years: Third Day, MercyMe, By the Tree, Among Thorns, Building 429, and The SwiftAt a glance … though Overflow's sound is very overdone, there's still enough quality to endear them to their two target audiences: church youth groups and fans of Christian music radioTrack ListingGotta Believe ItDon't Run AwayBetter PlaceForeverCry on My ShoulderWhat's MissingMy Days Are BetterCome HomeAnything but YouJust for Me

Overflow's is a familiar story. The South Carolina band formed out of their church youth group in their mid-teens, taking their name in reference to Psalm 23:5. Now in their 20s, they've independently expanded their reach over the last three years, eventually attracting the attention of producer Scotty Wilbanks (NewSong) and executive producer Mac Powell (Third Day), who describes Overflow as "a young Third Day."

Imagine a hybrid of the two bands represented by the producers, and you'll come pretty close to Better Place. The generic Christian pop/rock mold that forged bands like By the Tree, Among Thorns, and Building 429 is clearly still active, churning out basic melodic rock with simplistic expressions of faith and, of course, worship. The bland "Don't Run Away" speaks to the Jonah in all of us, and the title track is a cheesy change-the-world anthem. There are also formulaic takes on comfort ("Cry on My Shoulder") and prodigals ("Come Home").

Yet there's something admittedly likeable about Overflow; Powell himself says, "there's some incredible potential here." Maybe it's because they write stronger melodies, or maybe they seem more varied than other bands by giving equal time to guitar and keyboard riffs. "Forever" is a decent worship ballad, "What's Missing" has some Southern rock edge, and "Anything by You" offers heavier rock hooks. The band also seems to understand their primary audience is church youth groups—not those looking for original sounds. Overflow's approachable pop/rock expressions of faith will surely appeal to fans of Christian radio, but here's hoping they'll someday take their sound to a fresher place … like the ocean outside the fishbowl on the album cover.