Love Rain Down marks the first full length release of Union Street Records artist Roads to Rome. Self-produced by lead singer and songwriter Mike Musick, Love Rain Down is a fairly typical CCM pop/rock album. But while comparisons can quickly be drawn to Coldplay and MercyMe, for a new artist like Roads to Rome, familiarity is both a good thing and a bad thing.

The bad would be that Love Rain Down is a little too similar to what's already on the market by well established artists. Melodically and lyrically predictable, the album suffers a bit from being too familiar and lacks a certain unique quality that helps new artists stand out from the pack.

However, the good thing about Roads to Rome is that although their songs are predictable, they are also well crafted and accessible. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, Musick and his team of talented musicians offer songs from their heart that are spiritually uplifting.

Although Love Rain Down is not an overall strong debut for Roads to Rome, the album does show the band's potential for growth. Fans of artists like Third Day or Mercy Me will want to check this band out.

- Review date: 5/6/06, written by David Taylor