Customer Reviews

Lay It Down

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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

I've gotten so used to sophomore slump I've almost began assuming it. Jars of Clay, Switchfoot, Third Day, Sarah Masen... all their second albums were disappointments. They move to Nashville, hang out with producers with toys but no sense of artistry, and release blah and superpolished boring music. They forget who they are and why we loved them.

Imagine my amazement at listening to this album. Then listening to it again. And again. Unlike so many of her peers, Jennifer Knapp not only hasn't lost her edge, she's actually grown as an artist and musician. The creativity she exudes here actually makes her first album (which I loved and still like) seem a little boring and timid. Jenn Knapp has learned about the genre she belongs to, and about how she fits in that genre. And while she is doing nothing crazy unique -- not an Ani Difranco or a Radiohead, reinventing genres -- she is making fresh, excellent music.

Clearly, I love this album. Honestly, it is one of the best I have bought in a long time -- and I buy and listen to a lot of music. It's just straight solid.

As much as I loved Jennifer's debut CD, Kansas, I like Lay It Down even more. It takes the acoustic folk-rock sound of the first CD and refines it, resulting in a more alternative, less pop sound. Although the Christian content of her lyrics isn't as subtle as that of, say, Sixpence None the Richer, she does express her faith in an open, honest, and sincere way that most people will be able to relate to. Rather than trying to come off as some holier-than-thou person with impeccable morals, she is open about her weaknesses and her need for a Savior to make her stronger. Some of my favorite songs on the disc are "A Little More", "Lay It Down", "When Nothing Satisfies", and her cover of Shawn Colvin's "Diamond In The Rough". I would highly recommend this CD to fans of her first CD, as well as newcomers who haven't heard her music before. And if you like this CD, be sure to check out the latest CD's by Third Day (Time) and Caedmon's Call (40 Acres).

Let me say that Jennifer Knapp is my favorite artist at the time.
I'll split this review into 2 sections. Music, and Lyrics.

Lyrics -

In this genre of music, there's no comparison to Jennifer Knapp. Deep lyrics, simple truths, and 'poetic enough to be beautiful, but not so that you can't understand it' all describe her lyrics. They are truly of God. God is in every one of them. (As opposed to some other artists who will remain nameless, who sing about 'Sadie's Hawkens Dance' in his 'Khakki Pants')

Even if you are not into this type of music, if you are a christian, you will probly enjoy this CD just because of the lyrics.

A little more had one line that really made me a real fan. "Unearth this holiness that I CAN"T EARN!" We can't earn his holiness, we accept it. A simple truth, that hardly anybody gets.

Lay it down was about asking for forgiveness, Usher me down was just plain beautiful. Unfortunently I don't know where he's 'Ushering' her down to, but still, I like the song. LOL

This CD has a theme of God's grace, another simple truth that needs to be pounded into our heads. :~)

Jennifer Knapp wrote all the songs but one, which made me like her all the more.


Music -

Jennifer's music was great. It was rocky, and a little 'countryish'. I love the mix, and I love the variety. She has songs to Rock to, and songs to relax to. She writes beautiful songs, whether rocky or peaceful!

The strings and orchastra she used were 'real' violins and such. Not some lame synthasizer (Unless it was a synthasizer, in which case it's the most convising one ever!)

My only real complaint was that the album was to short. 10 tracks filling up 36 minutes. But that's a problem most 'rocky' singers have. Oh well. :~)

As I write this review, Jennifer Knapp is up for Grammy consideration for "Lay it Down" -- but not in a "mainstream" music category. I'll admit that as both a Christian and a lover of popular music, I wince at times at the earnest but painfully bland content of the majority of CCM. So my joy at discovering Jennifer Knapp knows few bounds! "Lay it Down", is, in my opinion, the single finest CCM record I've heard in the last few years, and I have heard quite a few. Musically and lyrically, I was taken aback from the first listen by Jennifer's maturity, insight, and passion for God. Though I am very fond of her first record, "Kansas", it is immediately clear that she has "grown up" in the two years since that album and this. Every song on here is a gem, from the opening track on. Jennifer's ability to seamlessly integrate scripture with her own words is marvelous, especially on my favorite tracks, "A Little More" and "Answer Me".

One key difference that sets Jennifer Knapp apart is her background -- as an adult convert, she has a wealth (and that is truly what it is) of painful experiences from the time before she began her journey with Christ. On "Lay it Down", she accesses those experiences perfectly to capture with delicate exactness the relief, the joy, and the sheer wonder at beginning a new kind of love affair with Jesus. No offense to anyone else, but as a convert myself, that is something that I think most "cradle Christians", no matter how compassionate, can fully understand.

Rock had Janis Joplin, Blues has Bonnie Raitt, now Christians have Jennifer Knapp. Whether you're into Christian, secular or a little of both, I think you will agree that Jennifer Knapp is simply breathtaking. I was taken back with Kansas, and Lay It Down certainly continues the trend of unique lyrics powered by a voice that will leave you in awe. Everyone that I've shared Jennifer's music with instantly falls in love with it...and some aren't even Christians! Both Kansas and Lay It Down will have you reaching for the repeat button.

Jennifer Knapp is definitely missed on the Contemporary Christian music scene. Her Christian-folk music is engaging, and draws the listener into a place where soft, medium, and fast tempo songs draw the listener toward God in a way that is authentic and moving.

Songs like the title cut and Little More seem plaintive, evoking the times all Christians have when they need reassurance and comfort. Knapp has been taking some time off for the past few years. We will all be blessed when she returns.

Jennifer Knapp is an excellent musician, somehow managing to spin folk, rock, and Christian into one musical category. She has a distinct voice that is just gritty enough to grab your attention and soft enough to make it oh-so pleasant. I haven't heard a song by this artist that has fallen short yet.

While I haven't done any research on Knapp, I would have to guess she has studied music for a while. She seems to know how to write music and lyrics that stir the soul. Her songs flow quite well, and she seems at ease performing with some of the top artists in the Christian music industry.

Ya can't go wrong with this CD. It's a keeper!

See ya next review.