Are you looking for a band as hard-driven and haunting as Plumb, with lyrics as profound as Jars of Clay, and as musically creative as Mukala? Then look no more for Chasing Furies is your answer.

At first glance (both at their songs and their appearances), no one would guess they were devoted to spreading the Gospel. Body piercings and shaggy haircuts do not particularly lead one to believe that all members of Chasing Furies are children of a pastor, and none of their songs contain an obvious reference to their Savior. But that is exactly what Chasing Furies are all about: looking beyond the surface.

Their debut album, With Abandon, opens with the modern rock song "Thicker." It immediately shows you the musical creativity of the Meeker siblings, who wrote all the songs on their album. Lead singer, Sarah, sings with clarity and crispness, similar to the voice of Sarah Masen. She and brother, Joshua, handle the electric/acoustic guitars while the youngest Meeker, Rachel, plays the piano and sings backup. The next song that caught my attention was "I Would Drown," where Joshua took over for lead vocals. It was a haunting song, causing me to stop what I was doing and listen. The rest of the CD is similar sounding- ending with a slow, jazz-like song called "Wait Forever." Overall, I really admire the way they've incorporated the piano and background sounds (like cicadas) into their songs to create the effect and mood. Their music left me either feeling i was in some horror movie, or in an enchanted land far away. Their lyrics are honest, profound and reflective. The overall theme of With Abandon is the reality of our frailty and error, and still we long to be loved so much.

If Miss Angie were a cheerleader, then Chasing Furies would be those kids at school who hang around the art room and never say anything in class because they're busy doodling in their notebook. I give With Abandon two thumbs up.

- Review date: 4/13/99, written by Natasha Poon