Anthems for the Imperfect

Sounds like … alternative pop/rock in the vein of Foo Fighters, Fuel, Semisonic, Sanctus Real, Seven Places, and other similar bandsAt a glance … an extra guitarist in the lineup adds a new dimension to Anthems for the Imperfect, but not enough to spark a creative outburst in their soundTrack ListingI Wish I Could SayBring It OnGypsy Girl (What Love Is)I Won't Give UpSomethingHerself (I Want a Girl)Freshman YearComfort ZoneTo the SkiesStar of the ShowUntitled, AnonymousThe One

Since their 2002 Flicker debut, Everyday Sunday have joined the ranks of countless other pop/rock hopefuls with a knack for youth-friendly lyrics and a lively yet largely indistinct sound. Still, they've played Festival Con Dios, had a few semi-hits at rock radio, and saw some chart action on the TVU video channel. They've earned a faithful following and some sales, but they don't yet have a solid footing in the overcrowded sphere of Christian rock.

For their sophomore effort, the aptly titled Anthems for the Imperfect, the songs are, well, far from perfect. Producer Quinlan (The Benjamin Gate) is once again at the boards, seeming to play the role of enabler rather than pushing them beyond their instrumental abilities. Still, new guitarist Jason Siemer adds another layer to the band's poppy, riff-happy soundscapes. Check the Edge-lite intro of "Gypsy Girl," or the dreamy crescendos in the refrain of "I Won't Give Up," and you'll see the band indeed is trying to venture into new territory. If your eardrums could squint, some songs (most notably "Herself" and "Comfort Zone") could pass as Blue Album-era Weezer tracks, which isn't a bad thing at all.

Other tracks that stand out from the simpler rock tunes are the quarter-timed "Untitled Anonymous," an anthemic rocker driven along by John Catchings' always-lovely cello arrangements; and "The One," an unintentional Ben Folds salutation for the way it's based around a simple piano accompaniment. The latter features guest harmonies by hopeless romantic Matt Thiessen (Relient K), as well as a mandatory violin part that sounds all too weepy and clichéd.

Overall, Anthems for the Imperfect stands up to the debut, and it hints at what's to come for this still developing outfit.