We Are Not Alone (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Lucio Rubino (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, cello); Chris Carmichael (strings).

Additional personnel: Adam Deane, Brad Moist, Danielle Magaard, Katie Schaefer, Edlyn Forero, Cassie Von Dohren, Aaron Rice, Peter Noble, Stephanie Smith, Steve Gee, Amy Wright (vocals); Chris Carmichael.

Audio Mixer: J.R. McNeely.

Recording information: The Sound Kitchen, Franklin, TN.

Photographer: Neil Visel.

CCM act Story Side: B are basically adequate pop-rockers with a slight shading of mid-'90s alternative rock (think of the Gin Blossoms' jangly pop) in their music and a slightly heavy-handed way with lyrics. First single "Tell Me What You Think of God" is clearly trying to be a non-confrontational outreach to the unsaved, but its drippily earnest tone makes it sound like the very worst possible opening gambit to hear from one's seatmate on a cross-country flight. That same overall weediness pervades the entirety of We Are Not Alone: the tunes are catchy enough, and there's no doubting singer/songwriter Lucio Rubino's sincerity concerning his lyrics, but the album is just kind of dull thanks to the flat, un-dynamic production and lack of variety between songs. The faceless music does the lyrics no favors, making it difficult to pay much attention to the songs' earnest message. ~ Stewart Mason minimize