One Life

by Jared Johnson The charm and polish of 33Miles' sophomore record are hard to resist, particularly for fans of Rascal Flatts ' new blend of country/pop. And after listening to the smooth delivery on One Life, it doesn't seem such a tall order to compare this Christian trio to Gary LeVox and company. Few would doubt that these guys have the talent to crank out the next radio hit akin to "What Hurts the Most" or "Bless the Broken Road." But the success of this group can be measured not by airplay alone, but by how well they represent the new crop of inspirational country artists. It's impressive how well they take the best elements of new millennium country music and weave in a CCM vibe. The trio establishes its identity more fully on this record, building on the name they made for themselves through excessive touring in support of their 2007 self-titled debut. The group also received a Dove nomination for New Artist of the Year. While many of the themes on this album are staples of worship artists (living your best life, honoring relationships with loved ones, recovering from personal tragedy), only a handful of artists convey those themes with as much magnetism as Jason Barton 's heartfelt vocals. It's hard not to crack a smile while listening to the uptempo rockers "Gone" and "One of Those Days," or to ignore the passion of the delicate "Apologize." What the guys may lack in artistic expression, they more than make up for with their guy-next-door vibe and family values.