It would be wrong to write Silers Bald off as just another Contemporary Christian music clone. Sure, it's all been done before, a lot of times in a lot of very similar ways. But, simply put, Silers Bald is one pretty good band. Even for me, who doesn't really care too much for the mellower side of Christian music, these are some pretty talented guys. And their national debut on Essential Records, Real Life, is one pretty outstanding record.

Silers Bald offers a fusion of pop/rock with strands of acoustic and folk. And maybe, just maybe, a tinge of country. Doesn't sound too original, does it? The band sings mostly about God and the Christian walk, and they do it best on the worshipful "My Heart Will Sing" where they say, "My lips cannot describe You, but my heart will sing. My mind cannot define You, but my heart will sing. My eyes cannot behold the precious beauty of Your face, and still, my heart will sing of Your grace." They also sing on a couple of tracks about relationships with loved ones. Some of which turn out beautiful ("Carolina Line") while others feel somewhat strained ("So On").

Original? Not at all. Stellar? You bet. I'm a very big critic of originality when I sit down to listen to a new band. But I'm very thankful that I decided against writing Silers Bald off as just another CCM band. These guys add some positive to the endless string of bands playing the same style as the bands before them. Thumbs up to Silers Bald for making what could have been an old and redundant debut. But hey, Real Life sound real good.

- Review date: 9/29/03, written by Josh Taylor