Critical Mass (Catholic rock)
Encyclopedia
Critical Mass is a Christian rock band
from the Waterloo Region of Ontario, Canada. The band is heavily influenced by its Catholic roots
. They have produced and released five albums over their decade-long existence. Their songs have appeared on albums that have sold more than 50,000 copies, making this band one of Canada's most successful independent artists.
and a reference to critical mass
in the physical sense. "Critical mass" is symbolically a reference to there being enough young people enthusiastic about their Catholic faith to cause a spiritual explosion.
. Initially the group focused on leading worship at youth events and Masses
. The original group members were Matt and Tim Devine, Eric Kubica, Tom and Sharon Pawelko, Matthew Bierschbach, Lorraine Adams, and David and Jodie Wang. The band wrote original music influenced by their Catholic
faith. Their first album was a demo recording, Faith Looks Up and received positive reviews. The album went on to win the band Best International Group and Best Modern Rock/Alternative album from the United Catholic Music and Video Association. One of the songs, I'll Be Fine topped the spiritual rock charts at mp3.com. Lorraine Adams left the band in 1999.
Their second album Completely was produced by Andrew Horrocks and had a more professional sound than the debut demo release. The album immediately garnered the Best Album of the Year at the Canadian Gospel Music Association
's Covenant Awards
. The song Humility was finalist for Rock Song of the Year as well. The Canadian Gospel Music Association
and their Covenant Awards
are the equivalent of the prestigious Dove Awards
in the United States.
The success of Completely resulted in the group being invited to be one of the major two bands involved in the larger liturgical celebrations at World Youth Day 2002
in Toronto
. The band was given the honor of performing at both the Papal Welcoming Ceremony and at the Papal Vigil
, the latter of which was seen by the 600,000 in attendance and on international television. Except for David Wang, the members of the band then left to pursue other projects. Matt and Tim Devine formed a new band, Devine. Tim Devine has since entered the priesthood
with the Companions of the Cross
.
David Wang and new band members Scott McKendrick, Luke Kupczyk, Tracey Doyle, Paul Kieffer, Lawrence Lam and assisted by Harvey Armoogan continued the mission of Critical Mass with the album Grasping for Hope in the Darkness which was released on September 11, 2004. It too, won Best Rock Album honours at the Covenant Awards. Their cover of the Kansas
classic, Carry On Wayward Son
also was nominated for Best Rock Song. Over the past two years Critical Mass has extended its reach into the United States
with touring and retreats.
In October 2006, the band again received International Group of the Year honours from the United Catholic Music and Video Association. About the same time the band was joined by new member Dave Flitton, who substitutes in at keyboard and guitar whenever necessary.
In 2007, Critical Mass released a live praise and worship effort called Celebrate, which includes covers of popular worship songs as well as some remakes of songs from the album Completely. This album was nominated for 6 United Catholic Music and Video Association Awards.
In 2009, Critical Mass released "Body Language", an album based on Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body
. This is one of the first Christian rock albums to ever deal so explicitly with the topics of sex, love and communion, in a Catholic Christian context.
In addition to performing, founder David Wang influences the direction of the contemporary Catholic music
scene as a music columnist
for the Catholic Register, a position he has held since 1995. Critical Mass has had a part to play in a recent return by the youth to more traditional Catholicism
When asked if they would ever consider signing with a major record label they stated that they "are an independent band and very proud of it".
and has been featured on the CBC
and Vision TV
, among others.
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
from the Waterloo Region of Ontario, Canada. The band is heavily influenced by its Catholic roots
Contemporary Catholic music
Contemporary Catholic music is a subset of Contemporary Christian music. Since Vatican Council II Catholic music has become more open to popular influences and influences from other Christian denominations. In the 1970s Mary Lou Williams began doing Catholic themed jazz, including a jazz mass....
. They have produced and released five albums over their decade-long existence. Their songs have appeared on albums that have sold more than 50,000 copies, making this band one of Canada's most successful independent artists.
Meaning of the name
The name has a double meaning. It is both a reference to the LiturgyLiturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
and a reference to critical mass
Critical mass
A critical mass is the smallest amount of fissile material needed for a sustained nuclear chain reaction. The critical mass of a fissionable material depends upon its nuclear properties A critical mass is the smallest amount of fissile material needed for a sustained nuclear chain reaction. The...
in the physical sense. "Critical mass" is symbolically a reference to there being enough young people enthusiastic about their Catholic faith to cause a spiritual explosion.
History of the band
Critical Mass started in 1997 by David Wang as a way to introduce Catholic youth to contemporary Christian musicContemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
. Initially the group focused on leading worship at youth events and Masses
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
. The original group members were Matt and Tim Devine, Eric Kubica, Tom and Sharon Pawelko, Matthew Bierschbach, Lorraine Adams, and David and Jodie Wang. The band wrote original music influenced by their Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
faith. Their first album was a demo recording, Faith Looks Up and received positive reviews. The album went on to win the band Best International Group and Best Modern Rock/Alternative album from the United Catholic Music and Video Association. One of the songs, I'll Be Fine topped the spiritual rock charts at mp3.com. Lorraine Adams left the band in 1999.
Their second album Completely was produced by Andrew Horrocks and had a more professional sound than the debut demo release. The album immediately garnered the Best Album of the Year at the Canadian Gospel Music Association
GMA Canada
GMA Canada is the Gospel Music Association of Canada . Created in 1974, the organization is a not for profit association whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music arts in Canada...
's Covenant Awards
Covenant Awards
The Covenant Awards are handed out annually by GMA Canada, the Gospel Music Association of Canada . Created in 1974, the association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music arts in Canada...
. The song Humility was finalist for Rock Song of the Year as well. The Canadian Gospel Music Association
GMA Canada
GMA Canada is the Gospel Music Association of Canada . Created in 1974, the organization is a not for profit association whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music arts in Canada...
and their Covenant Awards
Covenant Awards
The Covenant Awards are handed out annually by GMA Canada, the Gospel Music Association of Canada . Created in 1974, the association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music arts in Canada...
are the equivalent of the prestigious Dove Awards
GMA Music Awards
The Gospel Music Association Dove Awards are presented annually by the Gospel Music Association for outstanding achievements in the Christian music industry. The awards are usually presented during a ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee, that features performances by a number of the industry's newest...
in the United States.
The success of Completely resulted in the group being invited to be one of the major two bands involved in the larger liturgical celebrations at World Youth Day 2002
World Youth Day 2002
The 17th World Youth Day 2002 was a Catholic youth festival held from July 23 to July 28, 2002 in Toronto, Canada. World Youth Day is a celebration of faith begun by Pope John Paul II held on an international level every two to three years, and WYD2002 was the tenth such event. It was also Pope...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. The band was given the honor of performing at both the Papal Welcoming Ceremony and at the Papal Vigil
Vigil
A vigil is a period of purposeful sleeplessness, an occasion for devotional watching, or an observance...
, the latter of which was seen by the 600,000 in attendance and on international television. Except for David Wang, the members of the band then left to pursue other projects. Matt and Tim Devine formed a new band, Devine. Tim Devine has since entered the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
with the Companions of the Cross
Companions of the Cross
The Companions of the Cross is a Society of Apostolic Life based in Ottawa, Ontario. It is a community of Roman Catholic priests, which is Eucharistic, Charismatic, Marian and Magisterial...
.
David Wang and new band members Scott McKendrick, Luke Kupczyk, Tracey Doyle, Paul Kieffer, Lawrence Lam and assisted by Harvey Armoogan continued the mission of Critical Mass with the album Grasping for Hope in the Darkness which was released on September 11, 2004. It too, won Best Rock Album honours at the Covenant Awards. Their cover of the Kansas
Kansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
classic, Carry On Wayward Son
Carry On Wayward Son
"Carry on Wayward Son" is a progressive rock single recorded by Kansas and written by Kerry Livgren for their 1976 album Leftoverture. In 1977, the song peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard pop singles chart, becoming their first Top 40 hit....
also was nominated for Best Rock Song. Over the past two years Critical Mass has extended its reach into the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with touring and retreats.
In October 2006, the band again received International Group of the Year honours from the United Catholic Music and Video Association. About the same time the band was joined by new member Dave Flitton, who substitutes in at keyboard and guitar whenever necessary.
In 2007, Critical Mass released a live praise and worship effort called Celebrate, which includes covers of popular worship songs as well as some remakes of songs from the album Completely. This album was nominated for 6 United Catholic Music and Video Association Awards.
In 2009, Critical Mass released "Body Language", an album based on Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body
Theology of the Body
Theology of the Body is the topic of a series of 129 lectures given by Pope John Paul II during his Wednesday audiences in the Pope Paul VI Hall between September 1979 and November 1984. It was the first major teaching of his pontificate...
. This is one of the first Christian rock albums to ever deal so explicitly with the topics of sex, love and communion, in a Catholic Christian context.
In addition to performing, founder David Wang influences the direction of the contemporary Catholic music
Contemporary Catholic music
Contemporary Catholic music is a subset of Contemporary Christian music. Since Vatican Council II Catholic music has become more open to popular influences and influences from other Christian denominations. In the 1970s Mary Lou Williams began doing Catholic themed jazz, including a jazz mass....
scene as a music columnist
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
for the Catholic Register, a position he has held since 1995. Critical Mass has had a part to play in a recent return by the youth to more traditional Catholicism
When asked if they would ever consider signing with a major record label they stated that they "are an independent band and very proud of it".
Members
- Dave Wang - vocals
- Luke Kupczyk - guitar
- Scott McKendrick - bass
- Lawrence Lam - keyboard
- Paul Kieffer - drums
- Tracey Doyle - percussion
- Dave Flitton - keyboard, guitar
Television appearances
Critical Mass has been featured in two 1 hour music specials on Salt + Light TelevisionSalt + Light Television
Salt + Light Television is a Canadian category 2 digital cable specialty channel. Launched in July 2003, it is the first Catholic national television channel in Canada...
and has been featured on the CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
and Vision TV
Vision TV
VisionTV is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel that broadcasts multi-faith, multicultural, and general entertainment programming aimed at the 45 and over demographic....
, among others.
Albums
- Faith Looks Up (1997, Producer Ron Roy)
- Broken Records Sampler (1998, Critical Mass contributed one song, "Wisdom")
- Completely (2000, Producer Andrew Horrocks)
- Light of the World/Lumiere du Monde (2002, Official CD of World Youth Day 2002, Critical Mass contributed the song "Share it with the World")
- Grasping For Hope in the Darkness (2004, Producer Andrew Horrocks)
- Celebrate (2006, Producer Andrew Horrocks)
- Gift of God (2007, a compilation CD for the Eucharistic Congress in 2008, Critical Mass contributed 2 songs to this compilation: "Reverend Larebil" and "Body and Blood", while David Wang was the executive producer for the CD)
- Catholic Music 2007 (2007, a very successful collection by SpiritWing Records. Critical Mass contributed the song "Dorian Gray")
- Catholic Music 2008 ( Critical Mass contributed the song "Body and Blood")
- Rocking Romans- Best of new Catholic Music 2008 (Critical Mass contributed the song "Body and Blood")
- Body Language (2009, Producer Andrew Horrocks)
Music videos
- I'll Be Fine, 1998, directed by Ray LyellRay LyellRay Lyell is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and vocal coach.-Career:Ray Lyell came to prominence with his band, The Storm, in the late 1980s. Ray Lyell and the Storm released their self-titled debut album in 1989. Its first single, Another Man's Gun, scored No. 6 on the AOR charts...
- Body and Blood, 1998, directed by Ray Lyell
- Kephas, 1997, directed by Ray Lyell
- Mary's Song, 2003, produced by Salt and Light Television (notable for featuring scenes from Mel GibsonMel GibsonMel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
's The Passion of the ChristThe Passion of the ChristThe Passion of the Christ is a 2004 American drama film directed by Mel Gibson and starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus. It depicts the Passion of Jesus largely according to the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John...
and, for copyright reasons, has never been made publicly available except for Salt and Light Television) - Set Me Free, 2003, directed by David Wang, promotional video only
- Your Mysterious Ways, 2005, directed by David Wang, promotional video only
- Dorian Gray, 2005, concept by David Wang, live footage from Salt and Light Television
Songs on compilations
- Gift Of God: Célébrons, "Reverend Larebil", "Body And Blood (Adoremus Version)" (2007)
GMA Canada Covenant Awards
- 2000 Rock Album Of The Year: Completely
- 2005 Rock Album Of The Year: Grasping For Hope In The Darkness
United Catholic Music and Video Association Unity Awards
- 2000 International Group of the year
- 2000 Modern Rock/ Alternative Album of the Year: Faith Looks Up
- 2006 International Group of the year