Customer Reviews

Letting Go

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have been a fan of Jennifer Knapp for many, many years now and even to this day I can listen to every single song on every one of her CD's and gain something from it. I never tire of her music and it's gotten me through many hard times in my life. I've always appreciated her music for the simple fact that she's real- she's not pushing God down your throat or talking about how perfect she is- she addresses real life issues and pretty much lays it out that she's not perfect but willing to seek God and his forgiveness. I too wasn't sure what to expect from this album since her coming out, but from the moment I pushed play I haven't been able to turn it off or get the songs out of my head. As always, she delivers heartfelt emotions in her music that screams real, raw and uninhibited. I'm personally happy for Jennifer that she is able to free herself of the chains that have bound her for the last 7 years as she was in hiding. As a fellow Christian, I have nothing but love for her and pray that she is content and happy with the choices she makes- whether they are right or wrong is between her and God and that's the perception I have towards my other gay and lesbian friends. I will always have a place in my heart for Jennifer as being my favorite artist of all time for the sheer fact that her music touches my soul like no other artist has ever done. As for the other reviewers who feel like her music is a stark contrast to her previous stuff, well, you have to remember she's in a different place and these are the issues she's dealing with. Music is her outlet and that's exactely what she's doing with this album- letting go of her walls, frustrations and pain. Everybody deserves the process of healing and anger is one of those steps, so if she feels the need to voice her current feelings, then she certainly should. In addition, I don't feel like she's lashing out or turned bitter- she's just trying to make sense of this sometimes harsh and hypocritical world we live in and expressing it in her music.

I picked this CD up at the library and was immediately carried away by the power of the music, the depth of the lyrics, the sheer beauty of this voice. There's something in these songs and the blow your hair back strength of this voice that brings to mind the great Ann Wilson of Heart. The voice is different yet similar.

I'm surprised by some of these reviewers who apparently discount this CD because it doesn't carry the same message of Christian spirituality they've apparently come to expect from her. I couldn't care less about this myself but some of these lyrics transcend spirituality for me and talk deeply of hurt and disappointment and things both worldly and beyond. An artist of this caliber needs to change and evolve, and in briefly listening to some earlier works I find through this music that Jennifer Knapp has found just the right wind to lift to a new place.

I hope she will cross boundaries and categories through music like this because a lot of people are waiting for this artist.

Jennifer Knapp is a minstrel and a poet -- a musician. She's not a terrorist or some sort of destroyer of ideals. She is who she is. Like most of us, not perfect but trying to navigate this world using her gifts and talents to help and affect others -- and because it's what and who she is. I'm a Christian and I hold principles that can't be compromised or tainted and so sometimes, I can't agree with myself -- the choices I make that violate what I believe, but it doesn't negate the love I have for others or my ability to express beauty -- and to be made better as I grow and struggle. Be strong and secure in what you believe and try to stop depending on others' perfect adherence to what you believe, to make you feel OK. When you feel an 'insider' has failed you, look at yourself and remember the last time you also failed. Have compassion, but respond as you must.

It's music - high quality music. I'd rather be lifted by Jennifer's new music than by some of the darker, hard rock 'Christian' music that some of the church Youth Groups are allowed to listen to. She's not promoting sexual preference, even passively. I think she just felt she owed her fans an explanation.

It's amazing what can happen when a person is freed from their chains and allowed to explore, write, and create beautiful music. That's what's happened with Letting Go.

There is a power in Jennifer Knapp's voice I've not heard until now, and each song seems to be filled with raw, refreshing honesty. Her use of a simpler, more acoustic sound only adds to that feeling. My favorites include Fallen (which is just one of the most beautiful love songs I've ever heard), Mr. Gray, and Stone to the River.

At just under 35 minutes in total length, it is a short CD, but it is well worth it.

I'm a biased Jennifer Knapp fan. Let me get that out of the way. I learned to play guitar with the chord book for Kansas when I was 16 and her music really became the soundtrack to my life. This also means that I've spent the last thirteen years disecting her lyrics and music.
When this album dropped I forced myself to look at it critically as if I was meeting Knapp's music for the first time.
From every angle, this is a solid record and I believe it stands on it's own. No, you aren't going to find direct scriptural quotes like you did in Kansas. So if you are looking for a Contemporary Christian album, good luck. Go find a Steven Curtis Champan CD or buy the latest WoW. There you will find cliches a plenty. But if you are looking for God inspired poetry, some good guitar chops, some nice Voxxy amp action, solid vocals then this the record for you.
Here you will find an artist reaquainting herself with her instrument and with her heart. Stylistically, this isn't a huge step up from her other albums. But it's real and raw. Knapp never claims to be a spokesperson for a generation. Just an artist brave enough to reveal her vulnerability through music.

Jennifer's songs grab you right from the start. Intelligent and emotional lyrics, catchy melodies, and an amazing vocal presence by Ms Knapp. I didn't know her music before, but now I am hooked. Expect great things from this artist...

As a longtime Jennifer Knapp fan (over 10 years), this album was worth the wait!

The music is very 'singable,' which is important to me - I love her voice and lyrics as always (especially "Dive In" and "Fallen"). Jen is as poetic as ever... honest and open with her words and God-given talent.

On its own, it is indeed fantastic, however I can't help but compare it to her earlier music. I missed her creative ways of expressing her faith, which have been replaced with (just as lyrical) love songs. At least we still have her old albums and can hope for new faith-based music in the future!

There are only ten songs on the record - this is unfortunate since she was on such a long hiatus - I'd expected more! Overall a great purchase.

(I also want to mention that I saw Jen and her guitar in concert a few months ago in a small bar setting. She put on a great, great show - nothing fancy but just her music and some hilarious banter. She spoke and sang about her faith and life - definitely a great way to spend an evening!)

Reviews on Amazon can often digress into something else. The reviews of Jen's music should be just that - about the music. Discussion about her faith, beliefs, etc. are best suited for other venues.

This record is vintage Jennifer Knapp. I see it as a bit of a cross between Lay It Down and The Way I am. It's got a dark tone to it, like TWIA, but a lighter sound at times, like LID. Her voice is gorgeous and hypnotizing. A few tracks do sound angry (Inside), but what is music if not an expression of human emotion? Much of it sounds to me like she's expressing the struggles she's had and is still going through. When listening, I feel like I'm stepping right into her life, with the confusion, sadness, and joy that she experiences.

Musically, the tracks tend to be slower, and a few utilize piano/keyboards very well. Her vocals are varied enough to keep things interesting. It is has a more acoustic sound, with electric guitars only being present on a few tracks. I'd describe this record as "contemplative." The music sets the tone for the lyrics to draw you inward, open up emotions, and make you think about your own values.

This is NOT a praise and worship record - if that causes a problem for you, you'll be missing out on a very good work by a gifted artist. I loved Jen's past work, but the changes in her life don't have an effect on how much her music enriches my life. I still draw great joy from listening to this incredible artist. Anybody who's enjoyed Jen's past work should love this record. I hope she continues to write and record, and look forward to hearing her future work.

The music was great... however, it's not the same Jennifer Knapp from Kansas, Lay It Down, or The Way I Am... She sounds like a bitter christian on this album. And for being a fan for 10+ years, it saddened me. However, she sounds awesome... as usual! Hope for a real comeback in the future Jen!

This album is great. I have been a fan forever. I have a copy of her 1994 album on cassette. It is 5 songs long and sounds like it was recorded in a basement. She has changed, transformed and grown into a one of a kind amazing artist. Her lyrics on this album are the most real of any of her work yet and I am truly moved by this album.