This quartet's major label debut blends poetic lyrics, programmed rhythms, keyboards, and traditional instruments like acoustic guitar, violin, cello, mandolin, and recorder to achieve a critically acclaimed alternative folk/rock sound. Includes the hit "Flood", plus "Liquid", "Boy On A String", and more.
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All-time great Christian Album!| Posted August 19, 2008 Jars of Clay hit the music scene at a time in my life when I had graduated from college and I loved the alternative rock bands Collective Soul, Toad The Wet Sprocket and Weezer (I still do) but I didn't know Jesus. I grew up thinking being faithful was Jesus+church, works, etc. The song Flood came out on the radio and MTV and I needed to hear more by this new band, similar to how I felt about The Fray's debut album in 2005.
The first few seconds of Liquid had me hooked on Jars of Clay (and ultimately Jesus) forever. The Gregorian Chant, the driving beat and then the completely spiritual lyrics floored me and made me want to know Jesus as did my other favorite songs Love Song For A Savior, which really is my story as I longed to fall in love with Jesus, and Worlds Apart, an all-time classic which just wrecks you if you really pray along with the song.
Ultimately this is one of the all-time best albums in the history of Christian music and it led me to seek Christ for which I'm eternally grateful.
Still One Of The Best| Posted January 30, 2008
The year is 1995. Jars Of Clay, a band out of the sticks, comes onto the scene and blows the industry apart. Their acoustic fresh sound is something that explodes in both the Christian and the General Market, setting this band on the fastest success story in the Industry's books. Their debut self-titled album has gone double platinum, selling over 2 million worldwide, a HUGE number in Christian Music sales. Flood, a song serviced to the secular market, received heavy radio airplay, launching this group into a nonstop career that continues to go strong today. A MUST HAVE for any music collection, The Jars' debut album is filled with memorable songs that will live on for many years to come. The style is acoustic pop rock, with a great edge, and wonderfully crafted lyrics.
Jars of Clay| Posted August 19, 2008
This is one impressive way to start a career. Right off the bat it seems like Jars of Clay were hitting on all cylinders. What with the beautiful harmonies, atmospheric music, poignant lyrics, and passionate vocals, it'd be immediately hard to think of them outdoing themselves. Of course, they did later in their career but they started out of the gates running. The touch of female vocals with the slow build up and explosion on 'Worlds Apart' or the eerie children laughter before 'He' shows they were serious about making a quality piece of art and not just selling as many records as they could. Sure, there's a nice flow of pop music here and there that remain stuck in your head long after you've finished listening but just as important is the use of different sorts of instruments and a powerful piano presence as with 'Blind'.
Let's talk about 'Worlds Apart' for a second though. It is, without a doubt, my favorite Jars song and for good reason. It's actually the same reason Jars of Clay are my all-time favorite band. I just connect with them on a personal level that goes beyond the music. As the song builds up to it's ultimate climax my heart pounds and I just feel God's presence. The lyrics are so honest that it smacks me across the face. Let me give an example here:
I look beyond the empty cross
Forgetting what my life has cost
And wipe away the crimson stains
And dull the nails that still remain
More and more I need you now,
I owe you more each passing hour
The battle between grace and pride
I gave up not so long ago
So steal my heart and take the pain
And wash the feet and cleanse my pride
Take the selfish, take the weak,
And all the things I cannot hide
Take the beauty, take my tears
The sin and soaked heart and make it yours
Take my world all apart
Take it now, take it now
And serve the ones that I despise
Speak the words I can't deny
Watch the world I used to love
Fall to dust and thrown away
I look beyond the empty cross
As Dan is singing that he gradually grows louder and the rest of the band becomes more prevelent. I don't expect everyone will connect the same way I do but we all have those songs and albums that just leave us speechless. This is mine.
ok| Posted October 08, 2008
i like jars of clay. there older stuff isn't as good as their newer stuff, but their music is great. they should be considered classic christian music.........
Awesome!!!| Posted February 19, 2008
I saw Jars of Clay with Third Day in December when they toured for their Christmas albums. I have never seen either live and it was awesome!! I had not heard much from Jars of Clay but after seeing them live doing "Love Song For a Savior" with the guys from Third Day, I had to get some more. I picked up this CD last week and can't put it down. I listen to it all the time. The song "Liquid" starts off the album with kind of a celtic violin and a good drive. This one is a definite for anyone who loves lots of acoustic guitar and a good driving beat.
Jars of Clay at its best!| Posted October 09, 2007
This is undoubtedly the best album that Jars of Clay, or any other Christian artist, has to offer! From the opening of Liquid to the ending of Blind, this album is phenomenal. Every song has its own beautiful sound to it. Never heard music as good as this before!
Old stuff here| Posted September 20, 2007
I remember hearing the song Flood when I was just a kid and I always liked that song and never even knew who sang it until I saw Jars of Clay this year at Rock the Universe...they slaughtered it :/ but I guess that could have been cause they were in some pretty non-heterosexual gym shorts and shirt, but I dont know. They kind of got lame...this is when they were awesome!