The self-titled sophomore release from Seven Day Jesus opens with a familiar scene: Remote control in hand, the narrator flips around the TV channels, struggling to choose the least of all possible evils on the airwaves. As the lead track, "Down With the Ship," unfolds, the narrator realizes that the state of the world is pretty bad--but there is hope in Christ. Jacketed in brilliant, shiny-happy, alternative pop-rock (big guitars and big melodies all around), the rest of the songs on Seven Day Jesus follow the lead, struggling with the choices we face in a broken and hurting world. The band's first album, The Hunger, released almost two years ago, established the group as an often moody proto-grunge outfit. They seemed still wet-behind-the-ears, but held lots of promise. With Seven Day Jesus, they make good on much of that promise, walking a fine line between catchy pop songwriting and modern rock production. From the choppy, staccato guitar riff of "Down With the Ship" to the big-voice sing-along choruses and melodies of "Who I Am" and "Everybody Needs Love" and the moody breaks in "Sea of Forgetfulness" and "My Friend," Seven Day Jesus marries radio-friendly pop with big-chord guitar rock. Fifteen years ago, they called this "Power Pop" when The Romantics, The Cars and The Kinks ruled the airwaves. Now, along with groups like Poole and Fold Zandura, it's called "Pop Revivalism" or some other trendy label for music with big hooks, sweet melodies and a little bit of bite. Thematically, the album balances pretty neatly between the questions and the answers, and how we deal with the consequences of our choices: "Always Comes Around" details the dangers of materialism and putting too much faith in this world; "End of My Rope" sketches out the dire straits we reach without the support and hope of Christ; "Who I Am" is a fuzzed-out anthem for those who feel the pressure to join the crowd (whether that means the non-Christians who expect you to abandon your faith, or the Christians who expect you to conform to their dress code). The finale, "You Are the One," acknowledges the desperate need we have for God, yet admits that even a Christian still struggles with doubt and pain. It's an honest anthem that will ring true with anyone who is healing. For many listeners, all that will matter is the music. On those terms, Seven Day Jesus might seem more ear candy than high art. Pity. Even then, though, this one is going to make you hit the play button more than once.