Often, we forget the full depth and breadth of the Psalms: While some of the most popular Psalms are joyous and hopeful, some of the most useful--those that speak most relevantly to the modern condition--are those where David weeps, snarls and doubts. While David was certainly a role model for serving God, he also expressed some of the most dour moments in the Bible. Jeff Johnson celebrates the wholeness of the Psalms--the praises and the questions--with Psalmus, a project matching them to a moody score that reflects the swings in tone. With help from the powerful and tender vocals of Janet Chvatal, and such instrumentalists as flautist Brian Dunning and guitarist Derri Daugherty, Johnson weaves together such diverse elements as chants, Celtic music and modern pop. Psalmus is a mesmerizing event, a stylish, adult alternative praise & worship album with shades of light and dark.