Trey Pearson is no stranger to good music. After all, his band Everyday Sunday has been one of the most consistent rock groups in Christian music since 1997. Having been around a while, it would be easy for Pearson to think that his fans would buy anything the band puts out, no matter how good it is. With that mindset, he could probably release a few more albums with little effort and be content. But Pearson is not the kind of guy to just "be content."

The past few years, Everyday Sunday has been a revolving door. With practically a different lineup every year since 2005, the band finds its identity in Pearson, its longest lasting member. After experimenting with a more radio friendly pop sound on their last release, Everyday Sunday returns to their roots with Best Night of Our Lives. Having shaken up the lineup, the band returns solid, yet rough around the edges; just like their fans like it.

Pearson's signature raw vocal style sounds better than ever, and it complements the often aggressive backing of his new band. Only slowing down enough to catch their breath, the passion behind Everyday Sunday's music is evident. They don't just play songs; they believe them. They don't just sing about God; they love Him. Every song on this album showcases an extremely talented and mature songwriter, yet one has to wonder what this album would sound like if the band had stayed the same. Members come and members go, and surely the group is stronger now, but many factors can inhibit growth.

Instead of wasting time and asking "what if" about his previous band members though, Pearson asked "why not" and moved on. Hoping to bring his group back to the forefront, Best Night of Our Lives takes what's new and makes it old; this is classic Everyday Sunday. Yet while the group's fifth full-length studio album is far from a revelation, it is an enjoyable part in what hopes to be a long chapter for the band.

Just about any song here would fit perfectly on 2004's Anthems for the Imperfect, the band's last album on Flicker Records. This could be taken in two ways. One is that the band's many songs sound too similar and that their sound is stale. That would be a harsh judgment better reserved to be revisited after a few listens however. Another way to look at it is that despite member changes, the group "Everyday Sunday" is a cohesive idea. Perhaps the group is then best recognized for their message, not their sound. It would seem that this is what they are going for all along anyway.

With a little more polish, the kind that comes with time, the music on Best Night of Our Lives takes the backseat to what has always been the band's strongpoint; the lyrics. Always bold in their faith, Everyday Sunday uses every opportunity to call out to God; "I think you've figured it out now. That I'm done looking for an answer, I have one. And it's you. I have never been so sure I'm right where I belong." The words are simple, yet real. Just like Pearson sings in "Figure it Out," perhaps he's finally figured it out too. Perhaps this is core group that will stick around a while. Even if they don't though, together they have created a solid release and that's not an accomplishment to be ignored.

- PReview date: 5/11/09; Review date: 5/11/09, written by Flip Choquette of Jesusfreakhideout.com