Customer Reviews

Way I Am

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Christian folk-rocker Jennifer Knapp is one of those rare artists who seems to get better and better with every album. After releasing her smashing debut "Kansas" and the stunning follow-up "Lay It Down", Jen has released her most stirring and sophisticated album to date with "The Way I Am." Jen is known for writing songs about her struggles between her spirit and her flesh, with themes of brokenness, insecurity, and searching, and she continues to explore these themes with some of her most compelling lyrics ever. Musically, her sound has really matured on this album. You won't find as many catchy hooks on this album as on her previous two, but the depth of her creativeness and artistry on this album easily makes up for that. Her signature acoustic and elecric guitars are accented by sumptous string arrangements and melodic keyboards on several songs. The production on this album is top-notch. But as always, the best part of Jen's music is her golden voice, which can range from bold and edgy on one song (such as the title track and "Come to Me") to tender and vulnerable on another (such as "Say Won't You Say" and "Around Me"). Longtime fans of Jennifer who fell in love with her when she first came out are sure to fall in love with her all over again on this album. I know I did!

A remake of Kansas, this album is definitely not. However, if you were to look objectively at this album, without comparing it to her previous work, you would hear a talented vocalist, musician, and songwriter. But since most of the reviews compare this album to her two earlier ones, I will also.

Her voice has matured, her guitar skills have improved, and the poetry in her lyrics reflects a deeper, richer, and more intense faith. Maybe a bit overproduced, but the combination of guitars and other stringed instruments works well to give a contrast of driving rhythms and melodic orchestration. Where her first CD belted out her desperate need of grace, this CD does that with a deeper understanding of the cost of that grace, with Christ's crucifixion as a subtle underlying thread throughout the songs.

Some might not like the musical direction of her artistry, but if you keep listening and set aside any preconceived notions of what kind of album she "should" have released, the CD just might grow on you and you'll appreciate "The Way I Am" as a reflection of Jennifer Knapp the artist, the woman, and the sinner saved by grace.

You may think that's not such a glowing recommendation, given the fact that the overwhelming majority of Contemporary Christian Music is subpar at best. However, this album sets the bar that all other CCM albums should be judged against.

This is Jennifer Knapp's third album, and Gotee Records pulled out all the stops on the production of this project. They hired some of the best studio musicians alive today, most notably Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting, Frank Zappa, Chick Corea) on drums and Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, King Crimson) on bass. The only misstep on this album is producer Tony McAnany's decision to use a drum loop on a few of the songs, because I can't begin to understand why he would think that programmed drums would be a better choice than using Mr. Colaiuta's incredible skill throughout the entire album.

Lyrically, this is not an album of fun sing-alongs for your next campfire. Jennifer is plumbing the depths of her soul through this album, and not everything that she finds is what most would consider "uplifting," but it is certainly honest, and that is a breath of fresh air in a genre that spews out the same tired cliches time after time.

For instance, in the title track, she sings of how "It's better off this way - to be deaf, dumb and lame, than to be the way I am. It's better off this way, than be groping for the flame, than to be the way I am." I've read other people's reviews of this album to see if I even needed to review it, and it seems that I do, because people don't seem to be reading her lyrics correctly. The chorus to this song isn't saying that "it's better to seem humble by worldly standards than to go Godless as a carnal, worldly sinner," as one of the other reviews on this site claims. It's saying that it's better to not be able to hear, speak, or move, than be the way I am. It's better to be a vegetable than to be the way I am. It might even be a cry for help, who knows? Jennifer seems to have disappeared since this album came out almost five years ago now.

But every song on this album is gutwrenchingly honest, and beautiful at the same time. The beauty is found in the fact that there are so few people in Christian music who are willing to open up their hearts and write music from the darkest regions that they find there. The beauty is in admitting that, while the grace and mercy of God goes deep enough to reach even the darkest spots in our lives, it's still a struggle sometimes letting go of those places.

It's a struggle to make peace with the reaching through and beyond those dark places, to the fuller understanding of grace that lies on the other side of them. And it is Jennifer's willingness to draw back the curtain on her own struggle for peace that makes this album the best Christian album I've ever heard, even five years after it was first released...

This third CD by Jennifer Knapp reminds me of what true greatness in music is all about. You begin with talent. She has plenty of that. Besides being a well above-average guitar player (I know, b/c I've played guitar since '72), she has a killer voice reminiscent of Shawn Colvin and Bonnie Rait. She sings and plays with passion. Then, greatness in music includes the element of honesty. Knapp writes all her material, and her lyrics are both evocative and direct. She writes as she sings and plays -- from the heart. Of course, production can either highlight or cover up talent and great writing. Not to worry. The production illuminates Knapp's positives. Top cuts would be the up-tempo ballad "Say Won't You Say," the blusey "Around Me," the anthemic "Charity," the driving "Light Of The World," and two hauntingly beautiful ballads that combine acoustic guitar plus a full orchestra "In Two" and the finale "No regrets." Needless to say, if you purchase this CD, you will have NO REGRETS! Get it today, and purchase a few to give to others. As far as a quality CD by a quality artist goes, this is it!

Jenn's left the country for the city. The Big City. This album was recorded in New York, and that makes all the difference. From the liner pictures of the Brooklyn Bridge and Jennifer downtown to the almost complete absence of an acoustic instrument anywhere on the album, this is no blue-jeans folkie music. There are strings and horns all over the place. "Around Me", my favorite track on the album, sounds like it could've been lifted from some Broadway musical. "Say Won't You Say," with its oh-so-pop background vocals, makes me think of Celine Dion, who if she isn't from New York, belongs there. And I still can't listen to that french horn on The Lament without thinking of the theme to the Bob Newhart show (I know, that was Vermont. But you get the picture.)

Personally, I definitely like the smalltown folk sound much better. Seems when you get this many instruments playing, and just one soul arranging, the end result is bland. Most of the riffs and melodies on this album are ho-hum. I miss the mandolin, the cutting guitar of her last album.

What saves the album -- why I'm not taking it to the nearest Used CD store -- is Jennifer's writing. She still is a lyricist extraordinaire, and that alone still sets her up above nearly every christian artist I know of. Still, here's hoping she's enjoyed her time in the city, and will return to the blue jeans and big ol' Taylor guitar sound that I love so much on the first two albums.

'The Way I Am' is my proper introduction to the work of Jennifer Knapp.I first heard her, on the duet with Third Day's Mac Powell, 'Sing Alleluia' and I was left wondering if her solo work would be as good. I am a bit wary of some Christian music because it can either be samey, too 'poppy', un-reflective and manufactured or too synthetic. However, 'The Way I Am' is a definate exception. Jennifer Knapp sings with passion and zeal, the work on this album makes you want to throw back your head and sing along. This album was certainly no disappointing introduction of her music to me. Her voice is great, deep and earthy and very reminiscent of Sarah Mclachlan.(I am fussy when it comes to female singers, as I am not keen on shrill or high pitched voices which are all too common) I find Jennifer Knapp's lyrics quite simple, but down to earth and meaningful. There's a real richness in her music which comes over with the power of her simple lyrics, and a real heart felt powered passion in them.
'Breathe On Me' speaks of Christ's crucifixion and our need to be given His love and to give ours to Him, a lovely song. 'Light of The World' is almost a ballard again touching on the light, love and truth of God, followed by a chorus of voices quoting scripture toward the end of the track. 'Say Won't You Say' is really beautiful, and contemplative focusing on our weakness and our human nature longing for the reassurance of God's love.
It took a few listens to get me into this album, but it was worth it. It is so pleasing to hear good songs with a singer who really sounds as though she means every word.

Finally! An album by Jennifer that is actually of average length (46 mnutes)! :) Though I was somewhat disappointed that there wasn't as many slow and laid-back songs as Kansas or Lay It Down, The Way I Am is still a great album to listen to. It's more rockish than her previous work, but the lyrics and vocals are, as usual, unsurpassed. Once again, it's an album all Jennifer Knapp fans can be proud of; and one that all Christians can enjoy.

I must say that The Way I Am is one of the strongest Christian recordings I have ever owned. Knapp's songwriting is much more mature on this than with her previous two releases. Not only does the artist sound more seasoned and confident, the production on this recording is very, very well done. And it certainly helps to have musicians like Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel and King Crimson) involved.

Jennifer Knapp has a tremendously unique vocal phrasing style that has you constantly grabbing the CD liner notes to understand what she is singing. While her voice is clear and front and center in the mix, there are often lines that have you scratching your head and asking: "what the heck did she just sing?" But it's all in the phrasing. To that extent, she reminds me a bit of Robert Plant.

The Way I Am is introspective and soul searching. It is not 'preachy' at all nor is it happy-go-lucky love, love, love.

One of my favorite songs on this record is "Charity". Jennifer sings the line: "Charity holds her head in different ways than I'd imagined it; in laurels of glory". The lyrics are pure poetry set over a great grunge-style arrangement. I cannot help but hear Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam singing this song - and if he did, it would probably be one of PJ's biggest hits.....

This gal's keel runs deep and this cd is a knockout. Wow. I have not grown one bit tired of this record over 6 months of constant listening. I wish more CCM recordings were this honest and pure.

Way to go, Jen!

Well, after counting down the days for 3 months, I can say that I'm not disappointed!! Yet another AWESOME album from our favorite *chick with a pick*!! Jennifer Knapp is my favorite singer of all time--her lyrics, her guitar playing, her awesome rock sound, and most of all her awesome personality. I definently recommend this album to new Jennifer Knapp fans and old Jennifer Knapp fans. Old fans will notice a difference from Jen's other 2 albums, but it's a good difference! And of course, you can't just buy this one, and leave Kansas and Lay It Down unnoticed!! All 3 of Jen's CDs NEED to be in your collection!!

This CD has a great sounding mix of rock band loudness crossed with the gentleness and grandure of symphony strings, and some catchy electronically synthesised sounds, too, often all at once in the same song.

This album has more catchy, heartfelt songs and song hooks that are as memorable as they are haunting, than either of her two previous albums. Jennifer is definitely topping herself, and I am quite glad for that.

Sometimes its the vocal melodies and choruses that have the song hooks, sometimes its the backing instruments that come in and do some catchy things, and often its back and forth throughout the song, as to what little vocal melody or instrumental flourish has me hooked on the song. It's All Good!

I'm glad that the lyrics are in the booklet, because I often can't understand her, but her strong, emotional singing voice connects with the Christian listener in a way that need not rely on specific words. Many lyrics seem to sum up intense Christian points of view better than I could have articulated for myself, but I recognize the situation immediately, and I'm glad that she spelled it out so that I can embrace and understand it more openly for myself; as in the title song, "The Way I Am," which means to me that it's better to seem humble by worldly standards than to go Godless as a carnal, worldly sinner. Sometimes I don't understand the lyrics even after reading them, or it seems a bit confusing or disrespectful if I think that she's writing lyrics from Jesus's point of view, (What Would Jesus Say but NOT in scripture), but those moments are probably just my own misunderstanding, and I can ignore a few stray verses hidden in the beautifully powerful vocal presentation.

Her last album, "Lay It Down," was a very good rock album. This cd is similar to the overall sound from "Lay It Down," but Jennifer takes it UP to the next level with the added dimension of symphony sounds, that all blend together into a wonderful album of praise and worship. Even though most of the album is pretty full and loud, there is enough variation with quieter songs and moments to keep the ear and mind from getting too fatigued with loud sounds, so it is a very nice cycle of songs to hear and contemplate for over 50 minutes!

There are many, many great songs of praise and glory on this cd, to be stuck in my mind for some time to come, which is a great way to keep the Lord on your mind throughout the day, with a memorable tune from this album. Hallelujah!