Lay It Down was the fourth album released by American musician Jennifer Knapp.[1] It was released in February 2000 with Gotee Records.[2]
Background and release[]
After releasing her first album with record label Gotee, Kansas in 1997, it was announced in February 2000 that her second album would be released at the end of the month. The album was released on 29 February 2000. Knapp promoted the album by embarking on a 40-day tour of the United States alongside Third Day.[3]
The production of the album was done both by Knapp and by Audio Adrenaline lead singer Mark Stuart, who had also produced her previous album. In a 2000 Cross Rhythms interview, Knapp described the process of creating the album as 'like we were painting pictures from one song to the next ... it's so many different elements. We wanted people to be able to savour that.' She also said of the album itself: 'I wanted to be able to capture less articulation of my struggle, and more toward the specifics of who God is - and what he wants to do and how he wants to do it'.[4]
Composition and lyrics[]
The album consists of a mix of pop, rock and country songs as well as ballads.[5] Cross Rhythms described the album as 'a little more vague and a little less personal', but added that it 'retains all of the emotional passion and spiritual candour of its predecessor'.[4]
Commercial performance[]
Lay It Down peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, becoming her first album to top the chart. In addition, it reached number 77 on the Billboard 200, her first album to reach the chart.[6]