The Revolution (CD - 2005)

Inhabited: Sarah Acker (vocals); Marcus Acker, Justin Tinnel (guitar); James Colvin (bass guitar); Jerrett Horn (drums).

Additional personnel: George Cocchini (guitar); Jeff Roach, Monroe Jones (keyboards); Ken Lewis (drums).

Christian Music Today named Inhabited one of the Top Ten New Artists of 2005, the year the quintet released its debut label effort on faith-based Fervent Records. Though not quite as revolutionary as the title would lead you to believe, the album still manages to hit a young audience with messages of hope and durability. The group was in great demand after grassroots efforts by Christian radio promoters thrust "Rescue Me" onto the Top Ten Christian rock charts in 2003. Led by Rebecca St. James sound-alike Sarah Acker, the band leaves no questions about its attempts to reach a younger audience. They tackle issues that teens and pre-teens tend to face (fitting in, low self-worth, broken families, abandonment, etc.). For listeners in their twenties and thirties, this means the lyrics lean toward cliché ("Rescue Me," "Run to You," "Angel," for instance). The guitar work and production are notable, putting them in the same company as Evanescence, BarlowGirl, Plumb and the Benjamin Gate. The power ballad "You Are My Peace" sounds like the pop-tinged work of Michelle Branch or Avril Lavigne. "Open My Eyes" is a buoyant punk-pop track, while radio favorite "One More Night" is a tender response to a call for help by a young woman who struggles with feelings of worthlessness. To this end, Revolution makes a positive rock statement and leaves plenty of potential for more impacting contributions in future releases. ~ Jared Johnson minimize