The Heat (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Bear Rinehart (vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano, organ); Peggy Ward, Mark Ward (vocals); Bo Rinehart (guitar, synthesizer, background vocals); Jim Gailloreto (saxophone); Tom Garling (trombone); Joe Stillwell (drums, percussion, background vocals); Seth Bolt (programming, background vocals); Will Hunt (programming).

Additional personnel: Set Free Christian Fellowship Choir (vocals); Anthony J. Resta (guitars); Terry Connell (trumpet); Aaron Bowen (electric piano); Jim Gailloreto, Tom Garling, Will Hunt.

Audio Mixer: Richard Chycki.

Photographer: Danny Rankin.

The sophomore album from CCM rock group Needtobreathe boasts even more authority and sharper songcraft than their impressive 2006 debut. There's not much tampering with the band's straightforward pop/rock formula, but why should there be? THE HEAT is full of catchy hooks, guitar-driven rock, and choruses tailor-made for stadium-sized revival singalongs--the lead off single, "Signature of Divine (Yaweh)," is a case in point. THE HEAT is full of accessible, melodic rock that balances between alternative rock and adult alternative pop with just the right amount of grit and polish. minimize