When I first saw Jeni Varnadeau (then just "Jeni V") in 1994, I was a freshman in college; I met her after the show while buying the six-song EP that was on sale. After getting her bright purple autograph on the cover and spending some time talking to this very down-to-earth artist, I quickly became a fan of her music. Since then, it's been a privilege to see Varnadeau continue to mature as a musician and Christian, as well as see some of those same songs from four years ago appear on her Pamplin Music releases. Her most recent album, No Hesitation, is simply another testament to her hard work and love for music and Christ.
"Simply" is certainly an appropriate word. In interviews, Varnadeau is often quick to mention simplicity, her committed reliance on God, even for the smallest of tasks, and is quite adept at transmitting this important attitude in her music. The first track, "Mercy," is a perfect example, and not the only one. Nine more songs await the listener, all full of amazing clarity and thought-provoking lyrics. These attributes are clearly evidenced on tracks such as "I Need You" and "Free to be Free."
No Hesitation is an album that is neither sugar-coated nor overly cerebral. With a wide variety of songs ranging from "Shaken" to my favorite, "Come with Me," this energetic album is an excellent sophomore effort from Varnadeau, probably one of the better balanced albums out there. While this album is most certainly a pleasant addition to any Christian music collection, it carries the possibility of becoming a favorite selection for any fan of mellow, alternative rock.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #75Reviewed by Brian Vincent McGovernOne may not expect this name to be associated with rock & roll, and with many of these songs taking on a very radio-friendly format, you may even wonder why we reviewed it. But the rousing "I Need You" says it all, from the Hendrix-influenced guitar to the commercial rock chorus featuring Jeni's passionate full-lung singing. Songs like "There You Go" could even have been heard on a Petra record,…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Israel KlossJ.V. is no amateur, despite her initials. I wondered what the big deal was about Jeni Varnadeau when a friend of mine drove the more than three-hour journey from Columbia, South Carolina to Atlanta, Georgia to see Jeni Varnadeau. Well, I'm beginning to understand this red-head's appeal. She has a free and sassy sound to her voice. The album alternates between emo-rock songs and ballads. The…
