AFTER SUNDAY

After Sunday

aftersundayband.com

Take this as gospel: The Christian rock that stands the best chance of actually changing lives needs to stand on its own as rock music. That means good hooks, punchy guitars and urgent lyrics, all of which floweth over on this six-song EP. Frontman Mike Ross leaves no ambiguity about his subject matter—he’s singing for Jesus—but “Today” and “Plain Jane” could be popular Train or Bryan Adams tunes, and the leadoff title track proves that punky power-pop is a viable medium for worship. Closer “The Power of the Cross” adds some chugging light-metal riffage and the kind of soaring solo that youth-courting pastors would be wise to make part of their Sunday programs.