Grasping For Hope in the Darkness – Critical Mass

When we last heard from Critical Mass, some two years ago, there was talk of a break-up.  But after a re-organization by band member David Wang, Critical Mass is back, with its strongest, most focused and most creative project yet.

"Grasping…" is a rarity in Catholic circles—it is simultaneously a concept album, an honest polemic that doesn't candy-coat with facile inspirational platitudes, and an all out rocker.  With all that's going on today (e.g.: loss of faith, church scandals, teenage sex and abortion), the folks in Critical Mass have a lot on their minds.  But what's refreshing about this effort is that the songs are sobering, but never lose hope. 

The highlights of the album are the three masterpieces that are at the album's center.  "Running With Eyes Closed" is one of the most honest but catchy songs from the mind of a priest sharing his fears before facing a difficult situation.  "Reverend Larebil" is a first in Catholic pop music: a confrontational song with all the sarcasm that reminds me of the writings of G.K. Chesterton or 80s CCM rocker Steve Taylor.  And "Scandal", with its wise usage of "Kyrie Eleison" makes one of the enduring inspirational songs I've heard this year.

If there's a fault, is that it sometimes overreaches its goal.  In between songs there are little pieces of dialogue that fit in to a greater story.  I found myself distracted by some of these sound-bites, especially in one case where a song of everlasting joy is preceded by the cries of a little girl witnessing her grandfather's death.

But this is small pickings.  Critical Mass has delivered their best album yet.  Best of all, it is an album that will speak to kids today, where they are at, in a manner that will require repeated listens and a close observation of the lyric jacket.