Christian music artists ZOEgirl aren't afraid to tell it like it is, exploring even the tough stuff that teenage girls face. It's not always pretty, but the good news in this message from ZOEgirl is that faith in God will pull you through and that faith-based music can actually sound pretty cool!

Think of ZOEgirl as Sheryl Crow -- in triplicate! The strong yet sweet voices of Chrissy Conway, Alisa Girard and Kristin Swinford combine in modern pop and rock songs that will leave you craving not only more melodies, but give you something to think about.

On their worldwide missions to spread the word of God through music, the women of ZOEgirl have had a chance to hear stories of young women's lives and those lives are the inspiration behind the earthly tracks on Room to Breathe. Of course the solution to life's parade of dilemmas is always God and ZOEgirl are generous in their praise of him.

"Reason to Live" questions the meaning of life in joyous pop tones, while "Dead Serious" is about a girl who takes her faith so to heart, that's right, she's dead serious. "About You" uses the grunge-rock soft/hard blueprint for its song structure, while its lyrics don't waver at all from the direction of devotion. The singer is set free when she accepts the truth: "It's not about me, it's got to be about You."

"Scream" is a moving plea and petition for God to listen, while "Forevermore" addresses the natural confusion that we can feel around God's plan for us as well as for others. New wave and '80s-rock are the inspiration behind the frantic "Let It Out," while "The Way You Love Me" is a strictly straight ahead ballad about the greatest love of all.

Peer and societal pressure to "grow up" provides the theme for "Good Girl," an uplifting anthem for anyone who wants to wait. And "Not the One" is a soulful reminder that even inside relationships, we must rely on God to be our primary power source. "Skin Deep" ponders superficiality and the timeless sentiment that beauty comes from the inside out. The closing number is an affirmation that even in our darkest hour, we are "Safe."

ZOEgirl leave no doubt as to where they stand on matters of faith. As for the faithful pondering matters of music? ZOEgirl is without a doubt a most excellent place to start.

By Daisy Duarte