We Are Not Alone

CCM act Story Side: B are basically adequate pop-rockers with a slight shading of mid-'90s alternative rock (think of the Gin Blossoms' jangly pop) in their music and a slightly heavy-handed way with lyrics. First single "Tell Me What You Think of God" is clearly trying to be a non-confrontational outreach to the unsaved, but its drippily earnest tone makes it sound like the very worst possible opening gambit to hear from one's seatmate on a cross-country flight. That same overall weediness pervades the entirety of We Are Not Alone: the tunes are catchy enough, and there's no doubting singer/songwriter Lucio Rubino's sincerity concerning his lyrics, but the album is just kind of dull thanks to the flat, un-dynamic production and lack of variety between songs. The faceless music does the lyrics no favors, making it difficult to pay much attention to the songs' earnest message.