Customer Reviews

Kansas

5 star:		(150)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is without a doubt my favorite Contemporary Christian CD. Jennifer's lyrics are full of passion and deep thoughts and feelings--it's not at all fluffy and shallow. Almost every song on this CD deals with how all people are needy, and broken, and searching for healing and wholeness. If you are going through a time of struggling to do the right thing, or are having a hard time believing that God has enough grace to love imperfect people (like you and me)--the lyrics in this CD will revive your soul. And musically, this CD is also top-notch. When I play it in the car with people who aren't Christian, I don't get the groans of disappointment I get when playing other Christian artists. When listening to her CD, people have asked if it was Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette, or Cheryl Crow. And in a world where Christian music is generally thought of (and many times rightly so) as being second to secular music, with "Kansas" Jennifer Knapp breaks those stereotypes.

This is quality artistry. Most of the songs are pretty simple, but they avoid pop-infection or tired arrangements, and Jennifer Knapp's husky, hearty contralto is a nice change from the sweet, smooth and dominantly alto/soprano vocals from almost all Christian female vocalists. This is clearly a departure from the norm, and a great one.

What I really like about this record is Jennifer Knapp's subtle redefinition of what a Christian woman is. I listened to this record multiple times before it occurred to me that there's no mention of relationships, or romance, or hardly even men at all on the entire record. ("I've never been much for the bearing of souls in the presence of any man" is about it -- and illustrates the point I'll get around to making, eventually.) What's more, there's nothing "girly" about these songs. I am a guy who plays guitar, and I can cover them without the slightest embarrassment. And I bet as many guys buy this album as girls do. Jennifer Knapp is a woman who defines herself, in relationship to her God, not in relationship to the men around her. This is a rare thing, and a beautiful thing. As such she is a role model for girls in a new way, and in my opinion a healthier better way. From her music, she appears to be a strong woman, strong in her relationship with God, and weak before him. I admire her for this, and am grateful for her boundary-breaking music.
(8.18)

After having this cd for almost two years, it is still my absolute favorite. Jen has a way of writing songs that's so refreshing. If you get this cd, you will definitely NOT regret it. There is not a "bad" or "bum" song on this cd. My favorite song is #7 "Martyrs and Thieves". The most awesome line in there goes "Could it be that my worth should depend by the crimson stained grace on a hand?" WOW. And just as I saw in another review, this is most definitely "a girl with a guitar", and she's amazing on it. It's awesome. This is a GREAT buy!

Before me, 96 people have ranted and raved about this CD, almost unanimously decorating it with a full five stars...so I did something uncharacteristic of me and bought it without ever having heard a single note off of this or either of her albums (I believe there are only two).

I've listened to it a total of three times now, and I must say that I'm very happy with my purchase. Although I find it hard to believe that out of 96 previous reviews, nobody shared my first impression of who she sounds like. One reviewer mentioned that in various tracks, she sounds like Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, and Sarah McLachlan, which I don't disagree with--but after listening to about 15 seconds of track #2, the first thing that came to mind was "Hey...that sounds *just* like Natalie Merchant!" (of 10,000 Maniacs fame); and the more I listen to Jennifer Knapp, the more I think "Natalie Merchant sings for Jesus." :-)

If you like Natalie Merchant, you will definitely like _Kansas_, and if you are partial to any of the aforementioned artists, you'll find Jennifer Knapp very easy to listen to--a sound that is soothing and familiar yet lyrically unique. If Sarah, Natalie, Joni, or Tracy were to sing for Jesus, this is exactly how I'd imagine them to sound.

As a Christian, and a fan of good singer/songwriters in general, I was pleasantly surprised to discover Jennifer Knapp. To be honest, I don't listen to much contemporary Christian music, as I've found that a lot of it is overproduced and sappy-sounding. On the other hand, some of the recent "alternative" acts seem to have put a lot of effort into their image and sound - but in a way that (to me, anyway) distracts from the focus on God in their lyrics.

Fortunately, Jennifer Knapp doesn't fit in either of these categories. The songs on this CD are powerful, direct and God-centred. It's a keeper, and I'm looking forward to her next one!

Before I was a Christian and before I believed in anything at all, a friend of mine told me about a musician named Jennifer Knapp. My friend knew what kind of music I listened to and told me that she thought I'd like Jennifer Knapp and perhaps I should listen. I found some of Knapp's songs and gave it a shot. I liked what I heard, so I kept listening. At the time, I wasn't a Christian. Jennifer Knapp is, and her music is about her experience as a Christian. That didn't really matter so much to me; the music was good. Kansas is Jennifer Knapp's first album and is really just a girl and her guitar.

I had an idea in my mind of what Christian music sounds like. That idea was of cheesy lyrics and music at least half a decade behind the times. Jennifer Knapp is nothing like that. Her music is down to earth, the lyrics are honest (sometimes painfully so). While most Christian music might extol the glory of God and the benefits of being a Christian, Jennifer Knapp was using her music to define what she believed and to express her doubts and pain as she grew in her faith. I wasn't as far along the path as she was, but her lyrics hit home and it gave me strength and helped me believe in a God I so desperately wanted to be real.

Over time, this album was one of the most formative music experiences in my life and has actually been instrumental (no pun intended) in my becoming a Christian. It is also one that I still listen to quite a bit. Jennifer Knapp is now my favorite artist and this album is one of my all time favorites.

I could not believe I was hearing music & lyrics of a 19yr old.She's a brilliant artist on the rise w/a clearly beautiful soul. Her longing in her lyrics for renewal and closeness w/God helped 2 vocalize feelings of my own as a new Christian. In her lyrics I am humbled and at the same time raised. The album has a great blend of soulful listening, ballads with a touch of harder music for longer listening. She's definitely gained a fan for life as well as my respect. As poet myself she has managed to write things that make me say "Darn, that's good, I wish I'd thought of that", but I'm at least glad she did. Jennifer Knapp thank you, you are blessed by God and using your talent to praise His name and bringing the younger generation to know Him.I have to say though that this album is not just for Christians but for anyone wanting to know more about what a relationship with Him can be like and needing that one connection to make it happen. I can almost gaurentee if you do not become a believer you will at least like and respect this young artist.She's sort of a combination between Melissa Etheredge & Allanis.

If you want a songwriter who you feel you can identify with when it comes to penances, this CD's for you. If you simply appreciate a great guitar player with a voice to match, this CD's also for you. Jennifer has a musical grace reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan, with an extra thump. With a broad range of styles, this album has energetic rock that really moves you, along with soft folk-like pop that simply touches your heart. Never before have I heard such profound lyrics written with such soul-searching honesty/truthfulness and meaning. Close attention to her words reveal her amazingly deep understanding of growth spiritually and life in general. I've had this CD for a year now and the more I listen to it, the more I enjoy & appreciate it; it never gets old. And neither will the themes of her heart-felt songs, which anyone can benefit from by listening to them. She gets my vote for best qulaity female artist of the millineum!

This cd is incredible. I am a Christian who used to listen to Guns N Roses, Melissa Etheridge, Metallica, and other powerful music. I can't say that I never listen to those artists any longer, but with my Christian beliefs, I would prefer to listen to music that is as powerful as those artists, yet that is encouraging to my Christian walk. Artists like Amy Grant, Audio Adrenaline, and other "poppy-boppy" types make me queasy with their synthesized music. When DC Talk came out with Jesus Freak, I played it non-stop for months (an excellent, powerful, Christ-centered cd). I am somewhat disappointed with Supernatural. I yearned for another excellent, powerful, Christ-centered cd. Then I received the Jennifer Knapp cd, Kansas. This cd is so honest, powerful, outstanding,awesome!!!! Move over Cheryl Crowe, Melissa Etheridge, and make room for this incredibly talented lady!! If the secular music stations would play "undo me" or "His grace is sufficient" I'm sure she would push everyone off the charts!! I'm serious, the song "His grace is sufficient" is so true for me that I sometimes cry when I sing along with it. Thank you Jennifer for using your gift to glorify God!!!

Oh, how I despise the term "Christian music." Not only does it perpetuate the false and fatal secular/religious divide, it costs some wonderful artists (Jennifer Knapp among them) the wider audience they deserve. And this disc testifies--Jennifer Knapp truly deserves a great audience.

Jennifer is no mere performer. She is an artist. From song writing to playing to singing--she is at or near the top of my list of living artists in all areas. There is not a weak song on this disc.

"Undo Me" and "Martyrs and Thieves" are two of my favorite songs. "Martyrs and Thieves" features some of the most insightful writing I've come across in a LONG time.

I have to agree with Mr. Krischke (I refer you to his review...in fact I recommend reading all his reviews) about the applicability of this music to both genders. I have a hard time singing some stuff written by other great female artists--it doesn't fit with me. This is not the case here. This is no doubt a true sign of greatness (and continues to bear itself out on Knapp's following albums).

More than that, the spiritually of these songs is more complex and, I would argue, more truly Christian than much of what falls under the moniker of "Christian music." In these songs we find a thirst for and reliance upon Jesus as our only hope. No empty moralism taints the picture here. God cares not so much about whether we are "good"--he cares about whether we're His.

Kansas is amazing for a first album (or for an album period). Get it!