Embodyment

“Songs for the Living” (Compendia)

Compare to: Simple Plan, Relient K, All American Rejects

Rating: 7

If fans of Embodyment are looking for the same heavy-hitting rock sound of the band’s previous albums, they’ll be in for a shock.

Looking beyond the gates of genre, “Songs for the Living” brings a new meaning to both the word and the band Embodyment. When the members of the group first hit the music scene four years ago, people knew them to be a Christian rock band with almost a heavy metal attitude. The band was initially compared to P.O.D., with a sound that could give the band a presence in mainstream rock.

With four years of experience, three demos, two lineup changes, and one label switch, the members of Embodyment has obviously changed both musically and in level of talent. They have also finally put out an album that justifies their Christian rock persona.

Most people who listen to this album for the first time will be lead to believe that the lyrics are about relationships between a man and a woman, but surprisingly enough, this may not be true. The album itself consists of ten different songs with numerous hidden messages in each of them. If you look within the lyrics, you can see an evident reference to God and faith.

This is obvious throughout the album, with lyrics such as “I’m on my way/ set me up/ pave my way” within the first track, “Reaching Out.” These lyrics are referring to God in some way or another. It may not be clear the first time around, but becomes apparent the more you listen to the album.

Often, a new singer can make or break a band. But with Embodyment’s new lead singer, Sean Cobray, this band is going for gold with their new, more pop-punk-like sound. Needless to say, Embodyment is paving the way for all Christian rock bands — this album will be showing up on MTV.

— Laura Willcoxon

John Mayer

“Any Given Thursday” (Columbia)

Compare to: Pete Yorn, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz

Rating: 8

John Mayer has made a name for himself and has earned legions of loyal fans by touring, touring, touring. So it’s fitting for Mayer to release his third major-label record as a two-disc live album. Just don’t call him Dave Matthews.

The parallels are there, admittedly. Produced by John Alagia, the wizard behind live records by Matthews and Ben Folds, “Any Given Thursday” is a slick, impressive piece of work.

Recorded on Sept. 12, 2002, in Birmingham, Ala., the concert was one of the last shows on Mayer’s summer tour. There’s no sign of fatigue in Mayer’s performance, however. The album opens with the prerequisite squeals of female fans, as Mayer launches into an extended version of his folky “3×5,” complete with a four-minute instrumental introduction.

Mayer’s a true crowd-pleaser and showman during his live sets, turning up the sexiness of his smoky vocals a notch for the fans. And he’s not afraid to pull out the big guns right away — instead of waiting to play his radio hit “No Such Thing,” Mayer makes it the second song.

Die-hard Mayer aficionados are bound to cringe at times on the singer’s better-known hits, including the ubiquitous relationship anthem, “Your Body Is A Wonderland.” You know it’s going to happen, and it does — the teenyboppers in the crowded amphitheater scream along with the chorus.

If you’re looking for brand new music, you’re not going to find much on “Any Given Thursday”. However, Mayer purrs his way through a smooth rendition of Sting’s “Message in a Bottle” that beats the veteran pop star’s Super Bowl collaboration with Gwen Stefani hands down.

Mayer delivers a solid effort with “Any Given Thursday” — just enough to tide listeners over until his next studio album. Or at least until his “Live at Luther College” record is released.

— Megan Hinds

Scantus Real

“Say It Loud” (Sparrow)

Compare to: Nine Days, Lifehouse, Jimmy Eat World

Rating: 7 1/2

Christian rock is often considered “too religious'” or “too God-centered” because of the positive messages presented through the lyrics. However, bands like Sanctus Real are out to prove that Christian musicians can hold their own in the mainstream rock world.

After seven years and three independent releases, the four men from Ohio who make up Sanctus Real have released “Say It Loud,” their Sparrow Records debut. For its first major-label release, the band teamed up with renowned producer Pete Stewart.

It’s evident from tracks like “Captain’s Chair” and “Inspiration” that Sanctus Real is far beyond mature when it comes to writing. The opening guitar riff is punchy, melodic and compliments the verses and distorted chorus.

“We’ve seen best of times/ and we’ve heard worst of lies/ but still we stand,” sings lead singer and guitarist Matt Hammitt during “Captain’s Chair.” The songs lyrics and message are powerful yet easy to fathom, and the overall tone is extremely radio-friendly.

From “I Love You,” the album’s acoustic rock ballad, to the distorted, drummer-friendly track, “Inspiration,” Sanctus Real does more than impress. They secure their place and leave a dynamite first impression on the ears of both Christian and mainstream rock junkies.

“Inspiration” opens with a deep, watery guitar sound and a funk driven 64th-note high-hat pattern that would make even the most talented drummer bask in envy.

The album has at least four potential hits, including “Inspiration,” “Captain’s Chair,” the mellow “Hey Wait” and “Sink Or Swim.”

Every song on this album tugs at the listener’s heart strings, and its softer, mellow sound gives a feeling of contentment. The album has something for everyone, whether or not you like Christian music.

— Dan Hopper

“Smallville”Soundtrack (Warner Bros.)

Compare to: Howie Day, Shawn Mullins, Nada Surf

Rating: 4 1/2

Look! In the used CD bins! It’s “Dawson’s Creek”! It’s “Friends”! It’s … another lame television show soundtrack.

A truckload of kryptonite couldn’t have stopped this album from being made. With the success of the WB’s “Smallville,” a weekly drama that centers around the teenage years of Clark Kent and his alter ego, Superman, the release of a soundtrack was bound to be the next evolutionary step for the series.

Overplayed tracks like Weezer’s “Island in the Sun” and Five For Fighting’s “Superman” have titles that fit with the superhero theme, but both songs were released nearly two years ago.

While it’s not the most inspiring song of all time, “Save Me,” by Remy Zero, is the opening number for the album and the television series, and lead singer Cinjun Tate’s Bono-like vocals make it a perfect fit to start off both projects.

Cover songs are a staple of the soundtrack formula, and this one is no exception. “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” by Sixpence None the Richer, is a bouncing remake of the original Crowded House version. Lead singer Leigh Nash’s soft, smooth vocals add a new twist to an old favorite.

However, an acoustic version of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” performed by Eva Cassidy, is a waste of space. Cassidy’s drawling try hard, but boring and drawn-out guitar work makes the four-minute number feel like an eternity.

For fans of the series, or for alternative radio listeners who don’t want to explore these artists, the album is worth picking up. But for those who want to experience the sounds of Superman, simply turning up the volume during the theme music might be more fulfilling.

— Aaron Ladage