While the neatly trimmed BGV's remind me of the band's Southern pop past, this record, appropriately titled Amplifier, displays a harder side to the music of BTR. Imagine the band in recent years, with hands and faces pressed against the classroom window, longing to get out and play in the sun; longing to rock. Though the complete package stays on the safer side of the playground, school is certainly out. Steve Wiggins' voice can take on an edge when he wants it to, making me wish he'd done this all along. Just listen to "Real Thing," which is heavier than anything you've ever heard from this band. Also enjoyable is "Rivalry," which confronts some fans' promoting a competitive attitude between the individual ministries of Christian bands. The lyrics state, "Call it crazy, call it pride. I like to think we're on the same side."