Restored (CD - 2004)

Personnel: Jeremy Camp (vocals, acoustic guitar); Aaron Sprinkle (electric guitar, keyboards, percussion, programming); Andy Dodd (electric guitar, keyboards, programming); Adam Watts (keyboards, drums, programming); Nicholas Rodriguez (bass guitar); Joey Sanchez (drums); Adrienne Camp (background vocals).

Jeremy Camp is the kind of appealing Christian artist who is primed for crossover with a secular audience. Blessed with movie-star looks, a resonant baritone voice, and top-notch songwriting abilities, the Indiana native is a devoted follower of Jesus who, before taking up music, actually attended Bible college with the intention of becoming a minister. RESTORED is his third album and, like its predecessors, combines a radio-ready neo-grunge sound in the vein of Nickelback and Creed with yearning pop a la the Goo Goo Dolls and Matchbox Twenty. On "Breathe" and "Innocence," Camp's powerful vocals take center stage among bashing, Nirvana-esque drums and a thick wall of guitars. "Even When" incorporates gently swaying string arrangements and a waltz beat, while "My Desire" starts as a folky, acoustic-based testament of faith before moving into soaring power-ballad territory. A highly accessible record, RESTORED is a moving (but rocking) declaration of faith. minimize