Children 18:3 (CD - 2008)

Personnel: Steve Wilson (vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion).

Christian pop-punk band Children 18:3 are named after the Biblical verse from Matthew that admonishes seekers to be like "little children." On their confident 2008 debut, this attitude of receptive innocence is both reflected in and refuted by the alternating currents of punky, borderline hardcore crunch with genuinely humble and self-searching lyrics. The three Minnesotan siblings who make up the power trio seem to have been fed a steady diet of Green Day and Fall Out Boy, and will appeal to fans of those bands, whether believers or not.

These three don't look like Christian rockers. What they look like is the unholy spawn of an ill-advised dalliance between Danzig and the Cramps -- and therein lies part of their kewlness. What they sound like, interestingly enough, is Christian rockers who have listened to lots and lots of Rancid, Motörhead, and the B-52's, and if you think that sounds like a recipe for lots of good, clean, head-banging fun, then you're absolutely right. On their debut album, these Minnesota siblings take a couple of tracks to settle in; "All My Balloons" and "LCM" are both nice, frenetic power pop with a great sound and a notable dearth of memorable hooks, but the hooks come in with a vengeance on "Search Warrant" (the first on which bassist Leemarie Hostetter takes over lead vocal duties), and then things turn kind of upside down with the distinctly ska-flavored "Even Sleeping." "Homemade Valentine" is a brilliant power pop shoutalong that seems to be written through the eyes of Jesus' disciples following the crucifixion. There's little to no pause between the songs, Ramones-style, which lends an even greater air of urgency and momentum to the proceedings. Recommended to all who don't mind having their hard-rocking fun leavened with a little bit of religion. ~ Rick Anderson minimize