Out of Chattanooga, TN comes Nevertheless, a power pop/rock act sure to turn some heads. They have been playing the underground for the last few years, but are now readying their national debut. The sounds of Jimmy Eat World and Number One Gun collide on Live Like We're Alive for a surprising listen. It's a little repetitive in spots, and perhaps too often you will say "Hey, that sounds just like…," but for the most part, Nevertheless has a fun sound you can get excited about, and listen to over and over again.

All of this is not to say that they should be labeled as the next in what seems to be a never ending flow of pop/punk prodigies. No, though they have some of the same simplicity, they possess a Sullivan-like drive that keeps the engines revving even when the songs are a little more mellow. The guitar solos (Especially on "Lover") are a whole lot more intense and indie-rock oriented… a lot more like their roots, and a lot less like their counterparts.

The songs display a lot of hurt, but never, ever without the promise that God can pull them out. "Lover" paints a picture of marriage as a means of understanding our relationship with Christ, "I am a lover, but I've had my share of flirting with the darkest affairs. You can find me here with my head against the wall. Lost in my regrets and every time I fall. You catch me in Your hand. You circle me like a wedding band. God of new beginnings to You I cry, 'Teach me how to love. Teach me how to die.'" Christian apathy takes a hit on the title track, "So here I stand. I'm ready for anything. Just a man, but I'm giving everything. We're here only for a second. And then we're gone when we least expect it. So do more than survive. Let's live like we're alive!"

Nevertheless isn't the freshest sound on the block, but they take a proven formula and improve upon it. Kudos to them for that. The music is catchy, but smart, and the lyrics are quick, but poignant. Live Like We're Alive is the kind of pleasant surprise I like to hear. By no means perfect, but definitely the cream of the crop.

- Review date: 9/16/06, written by Josh Taylor