Further Seems Forever continues to develop its appealing brand of melodic emo-core on 2004's HIDE NOTHING.

With a more finely tuned sense of songcraft than 2003's HOW TO START A FIRE, HIDE NOTHING brings strains of progressive metal, pop melodicism, and the confessional side of the singer/songwriter tradition together with a strong guitar attack, lush harmonies, and rich production.

The result is a sound that should appeal to both the hardcore set and lovers of emo-tinged indie rock.

(It's no coincidence that FSF's former frontman was Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional.) However, Further Seems Forever's most distinctive trait is its penchant for expressing values unusual for modern rock.

The lyrics to "Light Up Ahead" deal with the promise of spiritual salvation, while the title track gives instructions for living openly during life's short passage.

There is a strong Christian message to many of the songs (especially "Lead the Way" and "All Rise"), but Further Seems Forever doesn't proselytize directly.

Instead, the group encourages listeners to dig for reserves of inner strength.

Forgiveness and love have the final word (the last line of the last song--"For All We Know"--is "It's a cruel, cruel world without love"), and that sets HIDE NOTHING apart.