If you're an old-school Christian Music fan, you may recall an influential little band from yesteryear known as The Altar Boys. The Boys are all grown up now, but still around in one form or another, mostly doing solo stuff. Such is the way it is with Mike Stand, whose latest solo disc is entitled Full Circle.

Joined by 14-member band Clash of Symbols, Stand shows off his acclaimed guitar work with fancy transitions, unexpected twists, and plenty of virtuoso instrumental breaks. The songs themselves are witty and poetic, never beating you over the head, instead getting his point across with great subtlety and nuance. Most of them were written in first person, so one is left to presume that these songs are mostly autobiographical, all about various feelings or wonderings Stand has experienced at one time or another.

Full Circle rocks, but is far more original than your garden variety modern rock, thanks to its strong artistic statements and melodies. - Robin Parrish