Lay It Down

Jennifer Knapp | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 29, 2000)
• Original Release Date: February 29, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gotee Records
• ASIN: B00004L8DB
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,782 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Litttle More

2. Lay It Down

3. Usher Me Down

4. Into You

5. All Consuming Fire

6. You Answer Me

7. You Remain

8. Diamond in the Rough

9. When Nothing Satisfies

10. Peace

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular Sophomore Offering, April 28, 2000

By 

T.J. Tallie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lay It Down (Audio CD)

She's done it again! When i reviewed Kansas, I wrote that I couldn't wait to see what Jen had in store for us with her next cd. She's blown me away. A Little More, the opening song, is pure magic. The rawly personal lyrics blend with the pleasing music to form a truly inspiring song. The title track follows, rough and bluesy, a tad reminiscent of the Fiona Apple sound Jennifer sported on "Undo Me" from Kansas. Usher Me Down is lyrically perfect and sweetly arranged, it's sincere message adding more powerful to an already beautiful song. There appears to be an Alanis Morissette influence in the next track, a standout, as she tells of a "skin-art junkie, all cute and petite" who's reached an impasse in her life that only Christ can move. The whimsically calypso-fused "All Consuming Fire" is a departure from Jen's folkish regular sound, but she succeeds, and the song is enticing.The latter part of the album has three major highlights. Shawn Colvin must be a particular source of inspiration to contemporary Christian artists; she is a wonderful secular songwriter and singer. Jen covers (and outdoes Shawn) Colvin's late 80's song "Diamond in the Rough," a song about regaining things the innocence of childhood. It fits perfectly on the album. The sincere honesty in the next song is intriguing, and the album closes with great melodies and more messages.Jen shows more growth in this album and her singing is still very diverse. Those looking for another "In the name" or "undo me" need look no further than the fourth track.Jen has grown musically and spiritually in this second effort. I'm almost afraid to see what boundaries the third album might reach.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent sophomore effort, February 29, 2000

By 

privyetlj "lauraj2743" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lay It Down (Audio CD)

I purchased this album after seeing Jennifer at the Paradise theater in Boston last weekend, so I've been listening to it for a few days already. I didn't think there was any way I'd enjoy it as much as Kansas, but Jen proved me wrong. Lay It Down seems a little less folky with more of a rock edge, but it definitely works for Jennifer. She proves that she is more than just a "girl with a guitar" -- she is a rockin' and rollin' Christian who lets her life spill over into her writing. You Remain is a heartfelt and honest ballad, Nothing Satisfies benefits from the presence of Margaret Becker, and Diamond in the Rough is an added bonus (Shawn Colvin cover). Overall, a very enjoyable CD.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great album. Not-so-great Length., March 2, 2000

By 

D. Morton (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lay It Down (Audio CD)

The album starts out with a slower song "A Little More" and is a soft, flowing song with strings weaving in and out in a coffee-shop style song, full of lyrics of God's grace. Moves into the faster "Lay It Down" reminiscent of some of Margaret Becker's older stuff. The next song, "Usher Me Down" reminds me of something off of a Paula Cole album, very beautiful with a great chorus. After this "Into You", a faster rock song with plenty of electric guitar, followed by the more eclectic song with the great percussion line "All Consuming Fire". A nice folksy rock song "You Answer Me" follows. Then another song similar to the first one, but a little slower "You Remain" which includes wonderful flowing guitar that swims through your ears like they were played in outer space. Then Shawn Colvin's "Diamond In The Rough" having a gorgeous mandolin part, kinda like Counting Crows. A beautiful song bringing to mind the wide open ranges of Texas that everyone imagines in their head, "When Nothing Satisfies" comes next. The next song, with one acoustic guitar, is a simple ballad. All in all, this was a great album, a bit homogenous, but differing enough to hold your attention. Unfortunately, at a little over 36 minutes, this album is more like an EP in length and leaves someone with more music desired. Hey Jen! Give us some more music! For anyone who likes Natalie Merchant or Beth Orton, the vocals and folk rock style of this album is a necessary addition to anyone's record collection. I would say it's worth the money.

Dave