The eyes of Rich Mullins peek out from behind the songwriting of Derek Webb and Aaron Tate, Caedmon's Call's chief lyricists--not a surprise considering Mullins' well-known influence on the band. Their attention to detail and love of metaphor, coupled with the bold acoustic guitars and pop smarts that have become Caedmon's Call's musical trademark, makes 40 Acres an enjoyable piece of rock 'n' roll. The Caedmon's Call sound has evolved from the simple, gutsy folk rock of their 1997 eponymous release to muscular guitar pop. On 40 Acres, the band ties a thick knot of crispy rhythms, gently yearning acoustic guitars and sweetly spoken testaments to God's faith. Simply put, the band strikes the balance between their past work and their inner jam band self, a side of them which has always shown onstage but not always on record. As on the last album, lead vocals are shared by Derek Webb and spouses Cliff and Danielle Young. While the latter two's vocal presence is strong enough to carry an entire album, it is Webb who steals the show. His sinewy voice glitters with a hint of a country twang and a raspy undercurrent that makes it quite distinctive. The majority of 40 Acres is surprisingly rooted in Southern rock, whether it's the Black Crows-swagger of "Daring Daylight Escape," or the Gin Blossoms-styled power pop of the lead-off single "There You Go." Even when these touches are subtler, such as the delicately plucked banjo that worms its way into the shuffling "Faith My Eyes," the results are warm, but unblushing, just like Webb and Tate's songwriting. Shiny threads of organ, earthy percussion and strings bring depth to such songs as the show-stopping ballad "Somewhere North," about a quickly-unraveling relationship. Webb turns in a beautifully affecting performance, a first-person account of heartbreak that resonates like a grand piano. Toward the end, where Webb admits I may never find the sleep ... I've lost all feeling in my hands, the listener is sucked in, making it an emotional highlight. All things considered, 40 Acres is a pleasant, cohesive effort, one that certainly casts quite a shadow over the majority of bland acoustic rock that seems bred for radio. 40 Acres has heart, about as much heart as some of Mullins' greatest work.