Charity Von

Self Titled

Slanted Records

I met Charity's debut with much anticipation after reading comparisons to the likes of Jennifer Knapp, a much missed artist in the gospel rock arena. Charity does indeed rock like Knapp, but the similarities don't extend further than the gritty rock-chick vocals that muscle Von's debut, and it is her vocals that are the thrust of the force behind her debut.

Centered on Charity's vocals, producer Billy Smiley put together a musically charged band that accentuated her soulful sound, giving songs like “The Narrow”, “Weight of the World”, and “Take Me Through It” intensity with a wall of determined sound. “I Believe in Miracles” and “Alone” are emotional ballads that again bring up allusions of Jennifer Knapp.

Of the ten songs on the album, Charity co-wrote on all but two, “In Your Presence”, and the Collective Soul remake “Shine”. Her influences range from Janis Joplin to Keith Green, which sums up her style of rock and gospel. If she learns to cultivate her writing talents and preserves her commanding vocals, her ministry will certainly flourish.

- Ken W.