The Kry

Item: Undone
Author: Matthew Williams

Undone

(2002)

Reviewed by Matthew Williams

Discogs Apple Music Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Metro One MusicThe Phantom Tollbooth2003

ccm pop rock

I know this song says nothing new, but don't ignore this simple truth. If you are ready for a change, He'll loosen your shackles, break the chains.

The lyrics from "All Over Again" could sum up Undone, the California-based The Kry's most recent musical offering. That is not to say that Undone is a good or a bad album, but it could easily fall into the grouping of countless less-than-memorable albums recorded in the history of Christian music. Led by the French-Canadian brothers Jean-Luc and Yves Lajoie, the foursome's (recently up-sized from their traditional trio format) debut on Metro One Records is filled with songs of faith geared mostly toward the young Christian.

"Here," the opener, explores the temporal nature of the Christian's experience on earth, reminding that there is "one life to live" that "soon will pass away." Topically, the Kry sets a standard of straightforward Biblical-based messages that carries through the entire album. Lyrically, however, the band suffers from clichés and settling for lyrics that finish rhyme schemes. In "Here," there are too many moments where the next line is easier to predict than a Steven Seagal action flick ("One life to live and so soon will pass away. So don't let another day wave you goodbye before you bow and pray") and the pattern proves true more than just a few times through the rest of the album.

Prime example #2 can be found in "My Everything." I cannot discount the excellent message of the song: Christ being everything the believer needs in life. The song presents a clear message of sole sustenance in Christ. However, after hearing the word "everything" an astounding eight times in the chorus I was left clawing for anything else to add some variety to the song. In addition, the lines "you're my everything/you're the real thing" would have been better suited as a mid-eighties takeoff on Coke's marketing campaign of that era. "Spark Up the Flame," a plea for spiritual renewal, contains enough key changes to fluster the most proficient of locksmiths.

"Beautiful" is again another tune accompanied by a great message of truth, but is dragged down by clichés and predictability on the lyrical side. Musically, it's the most surprising offering, sharply parting from the acoustic pop-rock stylings of past Kry albums for a discotheque, club-like sound. Imagine a Christian version of "Night at the Roxbury" and it would be on the soundtrack.

But all is not undone (sorry) on Undone. Track two, "Maybe," is a joyous romp anticipating the future return of Christ. Offering the possibility of Heaven meeting the church tonight, lead singer Jean-Luc Lajoie's vocals are at their strongest, singing with convincing hope of future glory. "Run to You" is also a nice up-tempo number that does an excellent job depicting the prophet Isaiah's declaration of "Here am I. Send me! (Isaiah 6:8)."

And one of the most worshipful moments of Undone, "Glorious," employs simple terms to sing of the nature of God, and in doing so, creates one of the most beautifully complex pictures of God that I've ever glimpsed. Met by a high choir near the end of the song, Lajoie's voice is suited perfectly for the powerful hymn.

Undone is not a failure of an album. On the contrary, it triumphs in its straightforward message of the Gospel and seems readily useful as an ample tool in church youth ministries. However, some listeners might find Undone a tad too light for their taste. The truth of the Gospel should push the Christian artist into uncharted lands of expression, always searching the further depths of faith, and, all too often, Undone sounds like something we've heard before.

2.5 tocks