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Here,
Nothin's here to stay;
Here ,
Soon becomes yesterday.

In case you forgot, John Locke, one of the most influential philosopher's to shape present-day psychological thought, believed that one comes into the world with nothing, a blank slate, which is filled like a writing table by experience. This way of conceptualizing human nature went against the grain of orthodox thought, that man and woman were intricately created in the image of God, but permanently damaged by the Fall. 

While Locke has enjoyed a gargantuan following over the years and is undoubtedly one of the most influential men to shape contemporary Western culture, the contemporary Christian rockers known as The Kry have not been impacted by his influence. It is apparent in the lyrics of this Bible-based band that they believe men and women enter the world not with a clean slate, but with a dirty one in need of a powerful cleanser. 

What makes the Kry cry is their belief that we are all born into sin. The human race has entered a race that ends in self-destruction. Mr. Clean is not clean enough to cut through this sordid grease and grime. To borrow the words from Depeche Mode, one needs his/her "own personal Jesus." 

Classics were something that folks like the great thinker Gottfired Wilhelm Leibniz implored Locke to adore. But for Locke, classics were a bore for he was locked behind an iron-clad door, one with a sign that said, "What can we depend upon? Nothing but the mud of experience." Sure, we can all learn from experience, but experience tends to further soil what is already sordid. Jimmy Hendrix used to ask, "Are you experienced?" Like Locke, Hendrix thrived on physics and its dynamic equations but experience for Hendrix was the distance from one fix to another. 

No, Locke's latchkey does not fit in the door to The Kry's Undone. Though they are far apart in terms of their mission and overall message, at first glance, another band seems to share The Kry's model of man and woman. "You're really lovely underneath it all," moans the flirty, flamboyant frontwoman for No Doubt. It is doubtful No Doubt has anything divine on their minds when they sing "Underneath it all" but the song's hook is a nice metaphorical object upon which to hang the message underlying The Kry's Undone. Originally created in the image of God means that bountiful beauty lies underneath the residue of a corrupted nature. 

True
Narrow is the way
Few
The number of our days

The wheels are turning
The pieces are falling into place
But I am ready to go

The day is coming
Everything seems to point
To your return
Not many are able to discern
But I am waiting for you

For no one knows
The day or the hour
It comes like a thief in the night

The Kry appears to harbor no doubt but Plato acknowledged that appearances could be deceiving. Songwriter and producer, Jean-Luc Lajoie humbly acknowledges in “My Everything,” “I've let my doubts have the best of me.” It seems that the band's frontman has more in common with doubting Descartes than initially assumed, but ultimately,  the band knows where they came from and where they are going. 

What's even more certain is that they take the listener with them. The Kry's confluence of collaborative creative energies; the protean musical gifts of Jean-Luc Lajoie, his reflective lines of poetic praise poignantly penned and deftly delivered; the peppy propulsion of David Roy's BIG, bold, bass-lines; Yves Lajoie's deliberate decadence delved out in a delightful drum deluge; Danny Donnelly’s handling of an electric guitar like Roy Rogers handled the reigns on his faithful horse, or like Paul Bunyan handled the handle of his ax and his exact vocal attacks in every backing track support a divine vision which easily transports the listener to some exceedingly heavenly places.

The best is saved for last. “Glorious” is pure praise. That's it folks, the CD is over. Or is it? Another round of “Undone” is sung on the 12th track. Repetition is an old artistic technique grounded in Gestalt psychology. The best thing about it is that no matter how many times the technique of repetition is repeated, it works. Like a leftover bowl of spaghetti that has spent the night soaking in its tomato-tangy juices, the title song tastes even better the second time around and it makes the CD sound complete. 

If their spiritual journey is a work in progress, The Kry’s music closely approximates perfection although a few more creative risks will take them even closer. Undone is how God wants us to come as we approach his throne of grace where He makes us complete. He promises to finish what he has begun in the hearts of all those have accepted His free gift of salvation, although it is something we’ll continue to struggle with until each of us joins Him permanently. The Kry is crying out for completion in terms of the work God has begun in each of their lives. They may be Undone until their last song is sung, but in the meantime, I believe my life will be more complete if  listened to every one. 

CD review by psychologist, Dr. Bruce L. Thiessen, Ph.D., a.k.a. Dr. B.L.T., the shrink rappin' Rock Doc

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. 

"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 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 vocals are at their strongest, singing with convincing hope of future glory.  "Run to You" is also 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 to often, Undone sounds like something we've heard before. 

Matthew Williams 3/15/03