Seven Day Jesus debuted last Spring with their album, The Hunger on 5 Minute Walk Records. Since then, they've scored a couple hit singles and a new record deal with Forefront Records. This anticipated sophomore release by the budding young group is expected to be released the day after Christmas. Their hard-driven songs mixed with sometimes slow melodies became a signature sound on their debut effort. But on their sophomore project, the drastic transitions no longer exist. The self-titled album starts off "Down With the Ship," a positive pop rock song guaranteed to linger in your head long after listening. The song addresses the corruption of TV and how we, as Christians, won't be pulled into this sinking world. "Always Comes Around" follows, a harder, faster-paced song that is just one of the many highlights on this album. Other notables include "End of My Rope" and "Who I Am."

But among the modern rock, Seven Day drops the electrics and picks up the acoustic for some dynamic ballads such as "Everybody Needs Love," (inspired by the homeless) "Sea of Forgetfulness," (a moving song about God's forgiveness), and the instant hit "You are the One." Seven Day Jesus is a worthy follow-up to their first work that is easily a more accessible effort as it serves up more of a pop edge than The Hunger. It's a great record and should be checked out by not only current Seven Day Jesus fans, but by modern rock fans as well.

- Review date: 1997, written by John DiBiase