There are only a few bands in CCM to span over a decade and remain consistently good, and Caedmon's Call is one of them. They've yet to under impress since their debut back in '97, and now they return after a little over a year since In the Company of Angels II with what is their eighth national release, Overdressed.

The big news this time around is the return of Derek Webb for the project after a five year absence. Though he's not a permanent member, it's quite nostalgic to hear his voice on the album opener "Trouble," and it adds a lot to the record as a whole. Overdressed is not much of a departure at all from the familiar pop/folk/rock sound that Caedmon's Call is known for, but more an extension of it. Each track has its own feel, but even the most accessible pop cut has an epic feel to it, probably lending itself to the lyrical content that Caedmon's Call is also known for.

Loving the poor and the oppressed is a common theme, as well as coming before God with nothing but ourselves. "Trouble" talks about the way we feel we have something to offer God that is of ourselves, "Cause when I'm with You, I feel so overdressed. The trouble is, I'm not above or beyond anything. So I know you must be good for me." "All Across the Western World" makes a brilliant point about our responsibility to live our lives in servitude to Christ, "You're only free when you have no choice." As is expected, it's a most thought provoking record.

Caedmon's Call provides us with another outstanding, insightful album that is sure to please fans. There's not much in the way of negative to speak of at all. I suppose you could claim it's too preachy, but it's preaching what Jesus preached, so good luck winning that argument. Overdressed is a record I'll still be listening to long after I type this last sentence.

- Review date: 8/27/07, written by Josh Taylor