Formerly known as Grand Prize, the resulting band Esterlyn isn't completely new to the Christian music industry. Grand Prize's debut featured some Southern-twinged rock, but after many changes, that sound has nearly disappeared and makes way for more of an indie alternative rock feel. With a new name, new members, and this slightly new sound ready to go with their debut Lamps, the band is aiming to bring a little light of hope to the music world.

While what Esterlyn has accomplished is nothing new to the contemporary Christian music scene, their music is quite accessible. Some of the tracks, like the intro "Tie the Leaves" and "Emptiness" have a more upbeat feel, while tracks like "Back to the Start" have a synth/guitar sound that really compliments the vocals of original Grand Prize lead singer Luke Caldwell. Esterlyn carries an indie feel all the way through their debut project, and it has elements that have been strewn through multiple bands over the years, yet the band doesn't do a bad job of exploring those sounds. Multiple highlights are evident on the record, including the rocker "Faster, Faster," a simple yet upbeat ballad such as "Like The Rain," and the guitar-driven "Kill Your Own Despair."

Overall, Esterlyn has a strong debut here in Lamps. The only downside might be the shortness of the record, with the two bookends of the album being much less than even three minutes long. But with twelve full tracks, the short length is somewhat compensated for. It will be interesting to see how things go for this relatively new band, and how much of the original Grand Prize following will move on with the band.

- Review date: 2/28/08, written by Justin Mabee