There are two instances when I immediately replay an album after hearing it the first time: when it's very bad or very good.

Mental Jewelry -- the major-label debut from the band Live -- didn't motivate me in either direction.

Yeah, sure, there's the jumpy single "Operation Spirit," a well-written, emotional tune that's been plugged as the Next Big Hit by MTV. But unfortunately, there are few places on the disc that compare in intensity.

Actually, the unique thing about this band isn't their sound, which dwells somewhere between Crowded House, Michael Penn and 10,000 Maniacs -- it's their message.

Live's lyrics are softly religious, with references to Christ, brotherhood and immersions into spirituality. This is not to say that they are attempting to break into the gospel market or be the Amy Grant of college rock; rather, they are an alternative band which happens to pose non-denominational calls for peace and sanctity.

This is fine with me. But it seems that there are some guts missing in the whole deal.

Lead singer Edward Kowalczyk is probably the sore spot. He's a scrawny guy (if you've seen him shirtless in the video you know what I mean) with a scrawny voice that fails to convey the emotion I believe a group like this needs.

The soul is a powerful thing. If you write songs about it, you'd better have the diaphragm to belt them out with conviction. Kowalczyk doesn't.

The other band members are competent. Guitarist Chad Taylor, drummer Chad Gracey and bassist Patrick Dahlheimer are a tight, unflashy unit. Dahlheimer is easily the best musician, capable of carrying a song with a few plucky licks.

The other song that has it all together is "You Are the World," a healthy chunk of grunge combining U2-ish harmonies and some jangly guitar. It has a heavy, slow beat that adds some weight where Kowalczyk can't.

After that, the folkier offerings like "Mirror Song" and the mildly political "Waterboy" are worth a few listens, depending on your mood.

I admire a band that can take its message to a broad market without compromising or sounding preachy. However, I wish Live sounded like they mean it just a bit more. Kowalczyk might be one of those singers who blows you away if you see him live, but gets smothered in the mix on a recording. I hope so, or else the band might want to change its name.