Be Aware of Scorpions

by Jonathan WidranThis spirited, crunchy guitar-driven party is certainly wild enough, but there's a very dated corporate rock feeling, as if guitarist Schenker and vocalist Chris Logan swiped a few outtakes from some old Journey or Bad English sessions. Appealing, sure, but hardly something new. Neal Schon would have a great time listening to the blistering solos on tracks like "Because I Can." One unique twist is that most rock outfits with this kind of intensity don't incorporate the spiritual values these Christian guys do. There's nothing too preachy, just lyrics about positive living in the face of temptations and honest spiritual doubts (about religious rules) on the punchy, rebellious closer "Eyes of a Child." Lots of fun, but only if you're in the mood for time traveling.