Christian Rock and Mainstream Music Move Closer Together

One of this season's most eagerly anticipated rock albums comes from a band that almost never shows up on MTV, in Rolling Stone or on the Billboard rock charts. It's called, "Coming up to Breathe" (INO), a title that fits the music: the album epitomizes the raspy, melancholy (and sometimes bland) genre that rock radio programmers call "modern rock." But this is a "modern rock" CD that rock radio programmers may well take pains to avoid.

"Coming Up to Breathe" is the latest from MercyMe, and if that name doesn't ring bells — or show up on airplay charts — that might be because MercyMe is one of the country's most popular evangelical bands. Every song on every album is about salvation through Christ, and MercyMe's touring itinerary includes plenty of churches. On Monday, the band played a short acoustic set for New York-area fans, but it wasn't at a club: it was at Jesus Book & Gift Store in Green Brook, N.J., and it was sponsored by Star 99.1 FM, the local contemporary Christian music station. The rest