Selectric Records' four-piece outfit Monday Morning seems ready to leave their mark on Christian rock with their work Fool's Paradise. Since 2001, Monday Morning has released an independent project, toured with a diverse mix of artists such as Newsong and Stryper, and signed on as the debut artist of their newly founded label. All these things have built up to the release of Fool's Paradise, produced by Quinlan (Rebecca St. James, The Benjamin Gate) alongside John and Dino Elefante, which boasts a strong rock-driven sound that is sure to please the ear of the listener.

Monday Morning kick starts with the disc's first single "Sunshine," which immediately ranks among the record's best and most likeable tunes with its catchy guitar work and often roaring vocals. The rock vibe from the opening track manages to echo throughout Fool's Paradise. "Dear You" and "These Eyes" keep up the pace, showing off even more of what Monday Morning has to offer. On "Next Year," the band displays their U2 influences. That song, which spans nearly seven and a half minutes, falters only slightly at the end with a brief montage of voices of historical figures layered over eerie background music creating an interesting finish for that particular song.

Lyrical themes running through Fool's Paradise, such as worthlessness without Christ and our inability to overcome anything without Him, explain what may be considered an out of the ordinary title. Though consistently recurring throughout this effort, this is expressed in a variety of ways. Heavier numbers such as "Blind" and "Breakaway" display the band's vision just as well as the lighter rock fare of "Desperate" and "Stand." Furthermore, "Until The End" confesses that Christ is really the only thing "worth fighting for." While Fool's Paradise is overall quite good and rather enjoyable, with it's thirteen tracks and long running time, some songs begin to sound somewhat similar.

Fool's Paradise, as a whole, is a solid effort from Monday Morning, despite sounding mildly familiar in places. Nonetheless, hopefully this band will see many more years to offer their pleasant rock sound.

- Review date: 8/26/05, written by Lauren Summerford