Raw emotion, an eclectic musical mix, and cutting lyrics all come together to make Brave Saint Saturn's debut a shockingly stellar album. Produced by mix-master Masaki Liu, who produced all of FIF's albums, so far from home could easily be the album of the year.

Throughout the CD, chief songwriter and lead singer Reese Roper tackles tough issues that Christian music has "overlooked". For example, "Under Bridges" is a song about a homeless man who looks like "Jesus," alluding to the biblical reference that doing good for the poor is like doing good for God.

Also, dealing with his break-up with his fiancée last May, Roper wrote "Independence Day." While this song could have been bitter or resentful, it's not. Rather, "Independence Day" is a beautiful tribute to what could have been, but an acceptance of what is. Roper is still holding high the candle of hope, so the song ends on an idealistic note.

Other songs, like "Shadow of Def," are humorous. Who thought Frank "Frankie T" Tate, owner of 5 Minute Walk Records, would actually rap on this side project? There is also a cover of Michael W. Smith's hit song "Rocketown" rounding out the diverse mix. It sounds little like the original, but is definitely a cover that MWS will love.

Space sounds, astronaut voice excerpts, and Reese Roper, Keith Hoerig, and Dennis Culp from Five Iron Frenzy--could there be a better album in 2000? Brave Saint Saturn is boldly going where no album has gone before. It may be a little too real for some people, but that's exactly why it's so good. Enough of hiding the truth with pretty words and fancy phrases--BS2 is honest, real, and straightforward. Sincerity works, and Five Iron Frenzy has proved that again and again. BS2 just takes that depth of character even deeper.