Now here's a guy who should be getting a lot more attention than he is. If I have ever found cause to celebrate authenticity in Christian music, this album is most certainly a good reason. Fans of Michael Card, Rich Mullins, and Keith Green will kick themselves that they haven't found him yet.. I certainly did.

The CD is exactly what the title says... all about Jesus. The music is a little rough in places, so don't come expecting mariachi guitar riffs, but that is by no means a detriment to buying the disc. Get it because you want to know Jesus. Get it because Ryan Brown DOES know Jesus.

This album would be the perfect thing to bundle with Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ." It calls painstaking details to the last hours of Jesus life in just the same way, presents Jesus as a challenging teacher and cultural icon in the same manner as the movie. It's 12 tracks, in order, of the same story.

There are some songs that you'll get stuck on. "Emmanuel" sounds like it could have been a Michael Card classic if he'd been lucky enough to think of it first. "Reckless Abandon" is the banner anthem for anyone who calls themselves a disciple. But lest you be denied the full benefit of this album by focusing on these gems, be sure that you catch it as a whole. It is, to be sure, meant to be heard that way.

As with some other albums I've recommended, it's going to be hard to find. Ryan used to be available on MP3.com before Cnet bought them, and I haven't found him on there since. Consider it a quest, find the disc. You won't be sorry. And Ryan, if you should make it to my little section of the net, send me some info, man! You got good stuff, keep it going!


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