Being in a Christian rock band these days can be dangerous. Whether Acceptance will fall below the radar and into relative obscurity like fellow Seattle-based holy rockers MxPx has yet to be seen. Then again, only those with keen ears will pick up on the themes of finding God and enriching one's spiritual life-it's only one aspect of the trials of youth that Acceptance explores in their lyrics.

But based solely on Acceptance's already impressive grassroots following that they built after touring relentlessly in 2003, one can expect that their highly anticipated major-label debut "Phantoms" will be well received when it is released next Tuesday, April 26.

Acceptance first caught the eye of industry big-wigs when Columbia A&R exec and former MTV personality Matt Pinfield came across their five-song demo, which was later repackaged-with the addition of two live tracks-as "Black Lines to Battlefields," released in May 2003.

They reunited with producer Aaron Sprinkle, who has worked with MxPx, Anberlin and Pedro the Lion, to record "Phantoms" in June and July of 2004 in their hometown of Seattle. Instead of re-releasing their tried-and-true fan favorites on their full-length album, Acceptance decided to head into the studio with a blank slate. The only song to reappear on "Phantoms" is their old single, "Permanent."

While it was more prominent on their EP "Black Lines to Battlefields," faith is still a part of the band's artistic identity-but the foremost concept that Acceptance explores on "Phantoms" is love: a complicated and nuanced endeavor that is not limited to romance, sexuality and break-ups. In the album's 11 tracks, frontman Jason Vena sings about everything from friendship and family to the shaping of one's personal identity.

In "Different," the first single released from the album, an individual offers himself up to the girl he loves when he falls short of her expectations. He wishes that he could be someone who has already perfected "everything you would change in me." But he also reminds all who would listen that "this isn't Hollywood," and people can't expect perfection: They can only ask for honesty.

And this is precisely what Acceptance delivers: sincere and heartfelt lyrics through which a group of young musicians try to negotiate an understanding of their changing world. What makes Acceptance special is their ability to articulate their pathos as artists, without ever whining or complaining about their misfortunes, as many young lyricists are apt to do.

Rather, their work on "Phantoms" demonstrates that Acceptance has taken the challenges of growing up in stride-and grown from them.