While mainstream pop can offer hooky, catchy music with often disposable, unimaginative, or just plain inappropriate lyrics, it's sometimes nice to find a band in the Christian music realm that can offer some of the same traits musically that people find appealing about their mainstream counterparts, but with a little more to offer the soul. Jackson Waters helms from Arkansas and possesses a sort of Third Day meets Maroon 5 sound that is a first for the Christian industry. The band's debut Come Undone blends radio-friendly pop/rock with a southern flavor and the occasional stroke of genius to craft a debut worth taking notice of - even if you're not a fan of either of the aforementioned acts.

The album opens with "Everything," a catchy rock track that has driving guitars and a southern twist, lyrically serving as a song of surrender to our Savior. The album takes an immediate halt for the dime-a-dozen, MercyMe-esque first single "Give Me Amazing Grace," which bears an overly simplistic and familiar sound. Sadly, with this being the band's first single, it's really a poor example of what this rock quintet has to offer. All is forgiven, however, when the soaring title track rips through, canceling out the previous one and establishing just who Jackson Waters is. The tender and sensitive "Jamie's Song" takes the band in yet another direction, as they conquers a beautiful and thoughtful ballad. From here on, Come Undone is smooth-sailing, with pop/rock tracks like the longing for Heaven in "One More Day," the prayerful "Send Her An Angel," the melodic "Ready To Find Love," and the bouncy anthem for the how Christ effects our lives in "Different." Jackson Waters vocalist David Leonard possesses a similar style to Maroon 5's Adam Levine (however considerably less irritating), and displays substantial versatility on the record from track to track. Another highlight that exemplifies this is the deliciously moody "Center Of Attention," which garnered mainstream attention last year from appearing in the television show One Tree Hill.

Jackson Water's pop/rock debut Come Undone is the kind of freshman effort few new acts in Christian music get to display. It's positive, it's encouraging, and although it may not be anything particularly groundbreaking, it's one great listen from a truly promising new act.

- PReviewed: 2/2/07, Review date: 3/4/07, written by John DiBiase