One-man projects can be hit or miss. I think my favorite remains Theocracy’s self-titled debut from 2003, before Matt Smith made it an official band. In the Process Of … from Thomas McKeown’s Undoubting Thomas project isn’t as heavy or rousing as Theocracy, but it is another one-man-band Christian prog album that packs a punch.
To be fair, McKeown brought in a drummer (Patrick Culligan), a violin/viola player (Gary Jackson) and a “choir vocals” specialist (Heather Humphrey). But for the most part, In the Process Of … is all him -- a veteran musician who fronted the Christian band Damascus from 1981 to 1992. Think early, proggier Petra. The reliable Roxx Records released a two-disc Damascus compilation in 2024 (The Road to Damascus: The Complete Anthology), which prompted McKeown to create Undoubting Thomas. This nine-track album tackles grief and depression, and many songs explore such timely questions as “Is God still good when everything is falling apart?” and “Is there meaning in our suffering?” Heady stuff -- and, indeed, this is a deep listen.
Classic rock and prog influences abound, mostly notably Kansas, Spock’s Beard and Riverside, and McKeown’s straightforward vocals work well with this material -- lending lyrical vulnerability while demonstrating musical prowess. Standout tracks include the three-part “The Mirror,” the four-part “Save Me” and the five-part "Dark Waters." The album doesn’t hit immediately, though, and it might take a few spins to fully appreciate what’s happening here. But that’s okay. After all, the album is called In the Process Of …
Track Listing
1. Overture
2. The Mirror
3. Any Wonder
4. Love and Life
5. My Silence
6. Save Me
7. Dark Waters
8. Something Beautiful
9. Another World
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