Casting Pearls: Bryan Olesen (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Case Maranville (bass guitar); Scott Rutz (drums, percussion).
Additional personnel: Phil Joel, Rob Harris, Maria Schatz, Tracey Colling, Tonja Rose, Marcy Burkum, Jason Burkum, Ken Harrell (background vocals).
Nebraska's Casting Pearls may be only a trio, but their amped up, melodic and infectious delivery carries enough electricity to power an outfit three times their size. Christian rock rarely sounds this manic. What the group lacks lyrically -- too much earnest but clichéd religious imagery that rarely strays from the words "him," "love" "free" and "light" -- they more than make up for in execution. Lead singer/guitarist Bryan Olesen possesses one of those fluid yet jittery voices that can go from heartbreakingly tender ("You Alone") to wild and fist-pumping ("Wastin' Time") without missing a beat. Casting Pearls grew up listening to -- and loving -- pre-alternative metal modern rock radio, and you can hear the echoes of grunge and early -Green Day punk-pop appearing throughout like little time machines, but the band manages to keep things tight and radio-friendly enough to appeal to today's listeners as well. ~ James Christopher Monger minimize