Jennifer Knapp's music should be played on every single rock-oriented radio station. Her blues-based riffs are remniscent of Melissa Ethridge and Alanis Morissette, with the only real difference being the subject matter she chooses to sing about. Because she's a Christian artist, she's segregated from mainstream music.

Her songs are heartfelt, personal testamonies of the struggles all Christians deal with in trying to be all that God calls us to be. They're as stripped down and unpretentious as her folk-rock style she sings them in. The result is stories that with words that are as pure and powerful as the presentation.

"A Diamond in the Rough" serves a dual purpose. Disc 1 is a "best of" collection, comprising songs voted on by her fans. Disc 2 is rare and previously unreleased songs, demo versions, and duets that Jennifer did that never appeared on one of her own previous releases (but in some cases appeared on the other artist's album). It's an excellent package, and the concept of letting the fans vote on the best songs worked -- for once, an artist is putting out a best of collection that I can agree, the songs on it definitely represent the artist's best work.

If Jennifer Knapp's music has intrigued you enough that you want to sample more, this is the album to start with. But be forewarned -- soon you'll be back for all her other albums to add to the collection.

is it all about the dollars?
In the mainstream music business, it's an unwritten rule that you don't release a "Greatest Hits" album untill you've been around for at least ten years or five albums, or you are calling it quits. Anything less than that is considered self-indulgent and/or money-grubbing, as it takes very little work to put together a greatest hits album, but brings in a lot of cash.

Apparently the christian music industry cares not for unwritten rules. I am embarassed for Jennifer Knapp, one of my favorite artists, that she would release an album like this. She is essentially saying, "I want more money, but I don't want to have to work for it. So I'll just repackage what I've already done, and include some liner notes that make me sound like a hero." Way to go Jenn. What a testimony.

I thought maybe the "previously unreleased" cuts on the second disc would justify the high price of this record. I was wrong. Few of them are markedly different from the album versions. There is no good reason for a Jennifer Knapp fan to buy this album.

(yes, the music is great. just like it was the first time around. so what?)

this CD made me a fan!
A few great things about this album:

1) Great smart lyrics that comes from the heart
(I like songs with poetic lyrics).

2) Good music - guitar based, acoustic, has a bit of country
influence in it but mainstream people will like this CD too.
(I'm not a fan of country myself).

3) Great voice - Jennifer Knapp just has an amazing singing
voice.

My first Jennifer Knapp album but now i am a fan.

If no other, GET THIS ONE
I am continually amazed at Jen's wisdom in her lyrics, not to mention her caliber guitar talent and the very raw emotion she puts into her music. This is an EXCELLENT compilation of both her harder hits and beautifully humble ballads that no fan should be without.