Review by Amanda Hines of the Catholic Register in Canada.  Amanda Hines is a student at the Althouse Faculty of Education in London, ON.

In its recently released album, Grasping for Hope in the Darkness, Catholic band Critical Mass provides a powerful message to the beat of rock/alternative music. 

The album's music is predominantly written by lead singer and songwriter David Wang. Critical Mass identifies itself as a Catholic band faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church, whose mission is to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to youth and the young-at-heart.  Winner of Best Rock Album at the Canadian Gospel Music Awards, the messages of this album are bold and stand up for the teachings of the Catholic Church.  Critical Mass takes a firm stand against issues of pre-marital sex, contraception, abortion and pornography.

Grasping for Hope in the Darkness is a concept album, which places songs in the form of a story that plays out through the entire album, beginning with a twist on a cover of Kansas song, "Carry On Wayward Son".  The album speaks a message of hope and redemption as it goes through the life of a man who ventures away from God to seek fulfilment in other forms, such as pornography and work.  Throughout this man's life, he is faced with important life choices and his decisions will later prove to have negative effects on his marriage and his daughter.

The CD speaks out against the evils of pornography in "Dorian Gray", the consequences of premarital sex in "Jane" and the issue of abortion, with a strong pro-life message, in "Running with Eyes CLosed".  But one of the most powerful songs on the entire CD is "Reverend Larebil", which addresses the issue of watered down Catholicism and Christianity in our society.  It speaks of Christian leaders who preach these misguided messages as well as doctors who push abortions, safe-sex and contraceptives instead of abstinence.  It also addresses the issue of Christian politicians who fail to stand up for Christian teachings.  The song is ingenious with a powerful message, rocking tune and creative acoustics.  It cleverly dubs in the message of the Holy Father at WYD2002, calling the young people to stand for the truth and truly be the salt of the earth.

Also compelling, "Scandal" deals with the recent revelation of tragic and scarring sexual abuse scandals in the Catholic Church.  It speaks of how these scandals have stained the face of the church and compromised the ministries of good, holy, Catholic priests around the world.   The song calls us to purity within ourselves to restore trust to the face of the Catholic Church.

The album finishes up in the form of ballads to God asking for His grace, for the ability to understand suffering in the world and "His Mysterious Ways."  The song calls for unity of all Christian in "Make Us One" and ends with "Night the Morning Came." which shows the man in the story coming back to God at the end of his life speaking a message of redemption and forgiveness.

All in all, Grasping for Hope in the Darkness is an excellent album by a band that is a clear example of musicians using their talents to give glory to God by spreading His truth through their music.  On a roll, Critical Mass has once again impressed with its third album; it would appear that God is not yet done using this band for His work.

For more information on Critical Mass and to see the album's storyboard, check out www.CatholicRock.com.