One of the top ten ways to tell that the millennium is coming, is someone like me receiving a Christian Alternative band like, "Viva Voce," to review. Of course, my editor had no way of knowing this when he sent it to me. Fortunately, I thrive on incongruity when I'm reviewing. Nothing makes me happier or more psyched to write than just this sort of challenge. But you need some background on me to understand my perspective on the topic of religion and Christian rock. Don't worry, I'll be getting to the album shortly.

First off, I wasn't raised with a religion. My family didn't attend church, even on holidays. This left me open to many ideas from Eastern to Western philosophies. Despite all of this, or perhaps because of it, I consider myself a spiritual person. I would say, more so, than many regular church goers. For a very long time, I would have considered myself very anti-organized religion. Today, I've found more tolerance. What I have trouble tolerating today is fanatical religious fervor. I think fanaticism of any kind is dangerous, even religious fanaticism. Actually, the religious variety may be the most dangerous, because it hides behind a benevolent mask. But I digress, you can plainly see why my receiving a Christian Alternative rock album may be a sign of the millennium approaching.

"Viva Voce," are Kevin and Anita Robinson. Their name means, "by word of mouth," in Italian. The two consider the band and its music their ministry. I started reading their press release statements and found them tinged with overly preachy verbiage, so I decided not to read it. I wanted to give the music a fair shake. The band hails from Nashville, Tennessee, a likely place for Christians, but perhaps not for Alternative rockers. You've probably noticed the number of stars that sit atop this review. After reading what you've just read, those stars should carry double the weight they did when you started reading. On with the music. . .

The first track opens with Italian radio stations changing, finally announcing, "Viva voce." Heavy distorted guitar supplants the static with an unbelievably powerful rhythm. These musicians can stand beside the likes of "Pearl Jam," or "Nirvana." On, "He Touches Stars," Anita Robinson's vocal is strong, floating angel-like over the cacophony produced by her band mates. Meanwhile, the Christian based lyric is vague enough not to be in your face. One can enjoy the music for its own sake, something I can't say about any other Christian rock I've ever heard. They have a large and heady sound that could quite possibly uplift you.

"Fear of Flying," is another winner. Heavy bass and guitar give way to Anita's vocals muffled as though through a bad speaker. She sings of a perfect girl. The sound clears on her vocals to tell the opposite story, of what the girl is really like. The message is that appearances can be deceiving. Waves of distorted guitar spin out of control after the intro on, "June." Backing vocals, presumably from Kevin, mesh well with Anita's lead to create a pleasing, ethereal lace work. Loud, raucous and unforgiving, the song weaves around, taking out everything it's way. It's about their love for each other.

"Viva voce," shows it's softer side with, "Closer than Far." Anita's airy vocal overlays soft electric guitar on the intro. Soon the song becomes as heavy and hard edged as all the others. An awesome lilting slide hook floats over the mass of sound. Anita sings, "My time has come/ My time has come. . ." It's just vague enough it could mean something else, but the context of the album makes it obvious she sings of Jesus. "Heartstring," is another hard rocker. "It must have been/ The right time/ It must have been/ The time to find. . .," Jesus presumably. "Bent," opens with a grumbling bass line with occasional high pitched distorted guitar notes. Anita's high vocal floats along with the melody. A catchy guitar line comes in later, creating a grand sound. It's about being human, imperfect and, I suppose, needing to be saved.

"Shining In My Shoes," is musically the least impressive of the songs offered. The message is lost to the loud guitar sounds. "Beautiful," is a much softer song. Anita's vocal meanders softly through her husband's distorted notes. The attempt is to create something majestic and pretty. It is successful in my mind. The guitar work towers over Anita's voice without obliterating it.

"Little Lost Somewhere," continues the soft trend with acoustic strumming from Kevin over whispered vocals. Guitar work here is brilliant and clean. Synthesized strings add to the mix of sounds to make something quite different from the other songs. They should do more songs like this. "Color Wheel," is the most preachy of the songs, speaking of "our Father," and visions. It's also seven minutes long, making it the least accessible of the songs on "Hooray for Now." The album closes as it started, with switching radio stations, "penitence, redemption. . ."

Despite my negative feelings toward the overall message and aim of this album, I have to give it a thumbs up. Musically it's quite accomplished and should be heard even outside Christian circles. Give it a spin and decide for yourself.