Addison Road

Addison Road is the major-label debut from Addison Road, a Dallas-based CCM band that earned a following through a series of independent releases and regular touring during the first part of the new millennium. Through that steady work, the group established their Christian credentials but this assured album shows that they're the rare CCM band that could cross over to a mainstream audience, as they have music that's easy to enjoy if you don't share the religious beliefs. To that secular audience, it may be easy to compare the group to Sixpence None the Richer, as they're a tuneful quintet led by a female singer, but the group is tougher and harder than that, demonstrating a clear love of U2, evident in the echoing guitars, the surging stadium sound, and the big, open heart of lead singer Jenny Simmons, whose husband Ryan leads the band. At times, the group musters up enough energy and hooks to have a passing resemblance to Avril Lavigne, but this is hardly trash punk-pop: it's big music even at its quietest moments, and what's endearing about the group is that their utter sincerity is matched by a natural melodicism and sturdy songwriting, qualities that are easy to appreciate regardless of religious denomination.