May 15, 2000

What do you get when the heart of Roman Catholicism beats to the rhythm of rock 'n' roll? The answer, surprisingly enough, is a number one hit. Just ask Critical Mass, the Waterloo area spiritual rock band whose single I'll Be Fine climbed to the top of MP3.com's Internet music charts earlier this month.

"It's really taken off on us," says vocalist David Wang of the hit song from the band's successful debut album Faith Looks Up. Originally recorded as a demo back in 1998, the CD has gone on to garner critical acclaim in both Christian and secular music circles.

It was even nominated for rock album of the year at the 1998 Canadian Gospel Music Association Covenant Awards. When first released, Faith Looks Up received a glowing review in The Record, noting that the CD, while only half an hour long, offers a solid collection of "well-crafted, intelligent lyrics" wrapped up in a "polished musical presentation."

Unlike the resurgence of Gregorian chants that were all the rage a few years back, this is Christian music you can dance to. With snappy guitar chords and vocal harmonies as lush as velvet, the appeal of Critical Mass is easy to understand. Still, band members maintain that they are "very surprised" by their unexpected rise up the MP3.com charts.

After all, Critical Mass began as a side project for group members, most of whom already have full-time careers outside the music business. Wang, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at University of Waterloo, jokingly admits that Critical Mass "is probably the most over-educated band in the world."

Band members also include Wang's wife Jodie, a physician; Eric Kubica, who holds PhDs in both kinesiology and computer engineering; Matt Devine and his brother Tim Devine, currently a seminarian for the priesthood in Ottawa; drummer Matthew Bierschbach and the husband and wife team of Tom and Sharon Pawelko. Flutist Lorraine Adams recently left the group to pursue other projects.

Although members of Critical Mass come from different walks of life, they share a love of music and a desire to promote Christian teachings. With their uplifting songs easily downloadable from the Internet, the message and melodies of Critical Mass are now available to listeners all over the world. In fact, the band recently discovered that their single Body and Blood has been translated into Spanish and is featured in services at a small church in Colombia.

Just goes to show that this is one local band with global appeal. But if soft-spoken guitarist Eric Kubica is any example, members of Critical Mass remain charmingly modest about their success. "If we become rock stars," he smiles, "we'll let you know." Kubica goes on to explain that the isolation of celebrity is at odds with the band's deeply personal message about spirituality. "We don't want to be idols," he insists. "If we can reach a few kids and turn their lives around - that means more to us than the perks of stardom."

Donna Cooper FOR THE RECORD