Move - Third Day (CD, 2010, Provident Music)

After a number of career moves attempting to position themselves as the next big thing in rock, Third Day appear resigned to their place as one of the biggest rockers in Christian music: nothing more, nothing less. Move, the Atlanta foursome's ninth studio disc and umpteenth return to form, reveals that much, as it finds the group embracing, hopefully definitively, that midpoint between spiritual fervor and Southern rock passion that suits them so well. Neither facet gets more playtime than the other; instead, they coexist as one, allowing Third Day to sound more assured and natural than they have in years. If previous efforts like Wire and Revelation were intentionally populist in approach, Move appears to be aimed squarely at the ardent Christian fan base the band has amassed over the years: those who loved their anthems "Cry Out to Jesus," "My Hope Is You," and "Show Me Your Glory." In that sense, Move is a move in the right direction: the songs are so huge and unapologetic -- big guitars, big choruses, big messages -- they leave no doubt as to the group's spiritual intentions. It is this Third Day -- not the mainstream-friendly, erstwhile Seattle rock doppelganger -- that has been responsible for some of the most enduring repertoire modern CCM has seen. ~ Andree Farias, Rovi