The Revolution

Sounds like … the heavier pop/rock of Evanescence and The Benjamin Gate at times, but essentially more of the usual Christian rock by artists like Plumb, BarlowGirl, and Daniel's WindowAt a glance … rather than truly rock out or distinguish themselves with their own sound, Inhabited plays it safe by offering formulaic words and music far too similar to other recent songs by Christian artistsTrack ListingOpen My EyesRescue MeEverybody ListenOne More NightI Run to YouYou Are My PeaceSave My LifeWhere Are You (Angel)If We Could LoveMemoriesRevolution

Brother and sister duo Marcus and Sara Acker started Inhabited as a church worship band in 1999. Passionate about reaching their generation for Christ through music ministry, the quintet soon branched out as an independent act. After the usual church and coffee house gigs, local radio promoted them, record labels came knocking, and Inhabited was soon signed to a record deal to release The Revolution.

If that seems overly familiar, the album itself is regrettably even more formulaic. Though capably produced by Monroe Jones (Third Day, Ginny Owens), Inhabited resembles virtually every other female-fronted rock band to hit recent Christian radio, especially Plumb, Daniel's Window, and BarlowGirl. It's by-the-numbers Christian rock, blending toned-down guitars (mustn't be too loud for radio play) with occasional keyboard strings for (intended) dramatic effect. Additionally, with songs like "Save My Life," Sara sounds as though she's trying too hard to emulate Rebecca St. James's vocal style. The band shows the most life on the album's title track, which unfortunately comes too late at the album's end.

Worse is the lyricism, which exemplifies banality in Christian pop/rock. Though surely well intentioned in message, there's simply nothing original or insightful amid the routine plea for God's guidance ("Open My Eyes"), the rejection of cultural peer pressure ("Everybody Listen"), the token worship track ("You Are My Peace"), the generic cry for deliverance ("Rescue Me"), and the predictable adaptation of the prodigal son parable ("I Run to You"). Even the tracks inspired by personal encounters ("One More Night," "Where You Are (Angel)") lack a distinctive emotional punch, resorting to trite sounding sentiments of comfort.

Anything but revolutionary, The Revolution is perfectly tailored for Christian radio. It's certainly listenable, certain to appeal to anyone looking for more of the same. But for most, there's just not enough here to distinguish Inhabited from countless other independent Christian bands.