These Simple Truths

Though 2009’s These Simple Truths marks their major label debut, Sidewalk Prophets have been active on the Christian music scene for some time and sharing the stage with Jeremy Camp, Stellar Kart and other hit makers has helped them achieve a high degree of focus and polish. The tunes here are highly melodic, hook-laden and unambiguously God-centered. The band is often reminiscent of country-pop acts like Rascal Flatts, especially when lead singer David Frey and his band mates lay down luminous vocal harmonies. Tracks like “Just Might Change Your Life,” “All Things New” and “For What It’s Worth” emphasize the transformative power of faith. “Lay Down My Life” and “You Love Me Anyway” find personal ways of expressing age-old Biblical messages. “Moving All the While” strikes a contemplative note with its folk-rooted arrangement. The best realization of Sidewalk Prophets’ vision may be “Show Me How to Love,” a humble, prayer-like lyric set to a galvanizing country-rock track.