Search - Jennifer Knapp :: Kansas

Aileen R. (aileen) from N HOLLYWOOD, CA
Reviewed on 8/15/2008...

Self-described as "just a girl with a guitar," Knapp, the winner of the 1999 Dove Award for best new artist of the year, crafts acoustic folk-rock in the vein of Lilith Fair rock-maids, yet founds her lyrics on her relationship with God rather than on that of a beau. Kansas basks in both the relative youth of Knapp as a woman and as a Christian, featuring her smartly communicative songwriting, which examines matters of spirit and faith in an era dominated by pop culture. Rather than railing against the inevitable, Knapp has wisely chosen to embrace this seeming dichotomy with the back to back "Undo Me" and "Trinity"; the former, an infectious rock anthem and 1999's Dove rock song of the year, the latter a harmonically layered scripture-based examination of the Holy Spirit. Blessed with an agile, earthy contralto that reaches from matter-of-fact talkiness to power yowl to melodious balladic lilt, coupled with her taut and circular guitar lines and inspired string arrangements, Knapp's Kansas is a testament to her well-used talents. --Paige La Grone (Amazon.com)

Robyn P. (makesomebodyhappy) from WAYCROSS, GA
Reviewed on 11/14/2007...

One of the best Christian cds ever! I promise. If you don't have it, get it now. The whole cd is great. I can't sing it's praises enough.

Steve S. (Reno-ness) from ARROYO GRANDE, CA
Reviewed on 5/21/2007...

Produced by DC Talk's Toby, the disc pops out at you in a most joyous way. Dig it.

A necessary redefining

William Krischke | Portland, OR United States | 09/05/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is quality artistry. Most of the songs are pretty simple, but they avoid pop-infection or tired arrangements, and Jennifer Knapp's husky, hearty contralto is a nice change from the sweet, smooth and dominantly alto/soprano vocals from almost all Christian female vocalists. This is clearly a departure from the norm, and a great one. What I really like about this record is Jennifer Knapp's subtle redefinition of what a Christian woman is. I listened to this record multiple times before it occurred to me that there's no mention of relationships, or romance, or hardly even men at all on the entire record. ("I've never been much for the bearing of souls in the presence of any man" is about it -- and illustrates the point I'll get around to making, eventually.) What's more, there's nothing "girly" about these songs. I am a guy who plays guitar, and I can cover them without the slightest embarrassment. And I bet as many guys buy this album as girls do. Jennifer Knapp is a woman who defines herself, in relationship to her God, not in relationship to the men around her. This is a rare thing, and a beautiful thing. As such she is a role model for girls in a new way, and in my opinion a healthier better way. From her music, she appears to be a strong woman, strong in her relationship with God, and weak before him. I admire her for this, and am grateful for her boundary-breaking music.
(8.18)"

Strangely familiar, yet uniquely refreshing

D. Kreft | Kirkland, WA United States | 03/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Before me, 96 people have ranted and raved about this CD, almost unanimously decorating it with a full five stars...so I did something uncharacteristic of me and bought it without ever having heard a single note off of this or either of her albums (I believe there are only two).I've listened to it a total of three times now, and I must say that I'm very happy with my purchase. Although I find it hard to believe that out of 96 previous reviews, nobody shared my first impression of who she sounds like. One reviewer mentioned that in various tracks, she sounds like Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, and Sarah McLachlan, which I don't disagree with--but after listening to about 15 seconds of track #2, the first thing that came to mind was "Hey...that sounds *just* like Natalie Merchant!" (of 10,000 Maniacs fame); and the more I listen to Jennifer Knapp, the more I think "Natalie Merchant sings for Jesus." :-)If you like Natalie Merchant, you will definitely like _Kansas_, and if you are partial to any of the aforementioned artists, you'll find Jennifer Knapp very easy to listen to--a sound that is soothing and familiar yet lyrically unique. If Sarah, Natalie, Joni, or Tracy were to sing for Jesus, this is exactly how I'd imagine them to sound."