Take Everything (The Acoustic Sessions)

Christian rock has come a long way since acts like Petra andWhitecross turned "the Devil's music" (tongue firmly planted in cheek here) into something a little more positive. Bands like Seventh Day Slumber take the music to new heights, blending modern rock sounds of the day with the faith that drives them. On its sixth album, the band jumps on the worship bandwagon. The 12- track collection contains revamped versions of popular gospel tunes. Tracks such as the hand-raising "How Great Is Our God," the melodious "Mighty to Save," and the oft-recorded "I Can Only Imagine" are coated in an alternative shine for a younger generation to enjoy. Frontman Joseph Rojas and his mates include three original tracks for hardcore fans, including the title cut, "Take Everything." The song was inspired while Rojas was attempting to write a song that would please his label. The singer claims God spoke to his heart about his desire to please his label more than his heavenly father. Convicted, Rojas penned the reflective number. The song bounces brilliantly between loud and soft (a classic alternative rock trick). "Carry Me," a slow-moving track that finds Rojas begging for God to "carry" him through his faith walk, and a reworked version of the previously released "Oceans from the Rain" round out the originals. The latter is presented in a stripped-down format. Take Everything, though a side trip into the worship rock realm, should win SDS a few new fans and hold longtime followers over until the group's next proper album.