Artist: Third Day Album: Wire Label: Brentwood/BMG Rating: 8 out of 10

On Wire, their first album of all-new material since 2001's Come Together, Third Day sound more relaxed and comfortable in their own skin than ever. Recently, the band has focused primarily on satisfying the incredible demand for rock-styled worship music with their pair of Offerings releases, which have sold over one-and-a-half million copies combined. But while those records drew a lot of new listeners to the band, they were lacking the edge that had made albums like Time and their self-titled debut so beloved by long-time listeners. Enter Wire, which finds Third Day rediscovering the art of writing simple, straight-ahead rock songs with strong melodies. Appropriately, dual openers "'Til the Day I Die" and "Come on Back to Me" find the band returning to their roots, and doing it well. The former features a rocking, acoustic-based chorus and sharp lead guitar lines, while the latter turns the amps up further for a rousing, electrified hook. Throw in a bluesy solo, and you've got a solid contender for Wire's next single. First there is "I Believe," though, which despite its uplifting chorus and cool, organ-kissed verses, hasn't received a lot of airplay. Hopefully radio stations will catch on eventually, but if not, Third Day might fare better with one of Wire's ballads, several of which can stand proudly next to their classics. Perhaps the best cut here is the acoustic-backed "San Angelo." The song's melancholy feel and understated delivery is driven home by frontman Mac Powell, whose lyrics on this set are some of his most personal. "The day it feels like winter, the night it feels like stone," he sings bleakly. "You turn around and you remember/ When you're surrounded/ You can still feel so alone." Another standout is the title track, with its spare, string-accented verses and pretty chorus. That song, which features words by guitarist Marc Lee, finds the band questioning the loyalty of their fanbase. "What if I slip, will they catch me/or watch me fall?" Powell sings. "I tiptoe in through the fire/ never looking down to see that/ I am walking on a wire." Unfortunately, Third Day's uncertainty may have been justified, as some fans have been critical of the fact that Jesus and God aren't mentioned by name in any of Wire's lyrics. That's a shame, because they're missing out on a lot of great songs, which certainly don't find the band members abandoning their faith, but rather discussing it in a more personal way. Wire, which was mixed by Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots guru Brendan O'Brien, will definitely have a wider appeal for that very reason. But this is no sell-out record, as it contains a balanced sampling of all the styles Third Day has worked with throughout their career. "I Got a Feeling" should please fans of their bluesy rockers with its gospel backing vocals and scorching lead work, while the drum-driven "Rockstar" is an appropriately-fun, distortion-fueled track. On the down side, a couple of Wire's mid-tempo cuts, though well-written, fall into the trap of banal Christian pop-rock. Thankfully, though, they're the exception and not the rule. While it might not break much new ground, Wire is Third Day's most consistent album to date, and one that should please the majority of older fans, while perhaps bringing some new ones into the fold. - Todd Thatcher