The Waiting
Wonderfully Made
Inpop Records
2001

Call it the curse of "Our So Called Tour," meaning that if your favorite band or artist was on that tour, you can expect a very long wait between albums. Sarah Masen just recently released her first album since that tour. Sixpence fans have it even worse, waiting years for an album that's already been recorded. But for The Waiting fans, well, the wait is finally over.

After the somewhat disappointing, but much better than most, Unfazed, The Waiting makes a strong return to form with Wonderfully Made, an album that stands on its own not just in Christian music, but music in general. If INXS hadn't already taken the title of KICK, it would have made a great title for this album because this music has a real kick to it. It may have taken a few tries, but they have finally been able to capture the energy that fans love about their live show.

While the lyrics to most Waiting songs have always been strong, on this album they have taken that to an even higher level, especially on tracks like 'Sleepless,' 'Diamonds to Dust,' 'You Believe,' and just about every song on this album. Props to Brad Olsen for not dumbing it down.

This album is not without its flaws, the main one being that it only has 10 songs, which is puzzling considering that certain songs were left off. Also, the ending choir vocals in 'A Thousand Years (Is Not Enough)' belong on a Newsboys album.

But this is one of the best records of the year. It is not enough for an album to be considered good in the Christian music ghetto, it really has to rise above that and stand on its own. Wonderfully Made can be heard next to Jimmy Eat World's Bleed American, Pete Yorn's Musicforthemorningafter, New Order's Get Ready and more than hold its own. (Jose B.)