Lay It Down

Jennifer Knapp

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: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,738 in Music (See Bestsellers 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

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Wow. Twenty-six-year-old Jennifer Knapp has done far more than rest on her laurels for her much-anticipated follow-up to 1998's Kansas--the record is a subtle, yet stellar, leap forward. The songs have pop hooks that stick in your brain for hours; the music is tightly woven and expert, yet rarely too slick. Expertly produced by pal Toby McKeehan, layers of complimentary, warm sound surround Knapp's folk-bluesy, expressive voice like the foam atop a perfect latte. The lyrics are introspective and spiritual but they have this real-life quality to them, and that is her true gift. One has to struggle not to identify with Knapp when she sings, on "A Little More," of the struggle to live a Christian life: "A little more than I can give / A little more than I deserve / Unearth this holiness I can't earn." The only justifiable quibble is that, at 36 minutes, Lay It Down is way too short. --Mike McGonigal

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Lay It Down raises the bar artistically over her well-received 1997 Gotee debut, Kansas, while maintaining a vital connection to what worked for her the first time.

Sonically, Knapp's influences suggest some of the strongest female singer/songwriters-the rock vitality of Melissa Etheridge, the robust vocal style of Sheryl Crow and the down-home mandolin folk of Indigo Girls.

Lay It Down suggests a rise in confidence in her abilities as a singer/songwriter. From images of sin as a "rock in my pocket" to the graceful "handprint of God on the small of my back," Knapp describes on the title track in a meaningful way.

But as in any emerging state, there is awkwardness.

On "Usher Me Down" I miss the honest, earthy poetic language that would otherwise communicate to the un-churched person what she means by a line like "My Wall, my Mighty Tower, be my Shadow come over me 'till all my enemies cower jealous of my King" on "You Remain."

Short of Knapp asking, "Does nothing satisfy you?" Lay It Down suggests that Jennifer Knapp is striving to find those important connections; This is a strong step toward the truly great album we know she has in her.-Brian Q. Newcomb

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 (Harbor City, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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	"lauraj2743" (Bowling Green, KY) - See all my reviews

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)

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