In 1995, the iconic band Jars of Clay took the Christian music world by storm with their highly successful self-titled debut album, which is one of the genre's most successful debut releases of all time. The album set Jars of Clay on the path to becoming icons in Christian music. The next question was, what would they do with their sophomore album? As that album, Much Afraid, turns 25 years old, we take a look at let's look back at the record, its singles, and its successes.
The Shadow of Success
It's rare that a band breaks out as quickly as Jars of Clay did. Even at the end of their nearly two decades of actively making new music, their debut stands as arguably their most notable and successful album. Despite producing countless hits through the years, songs like "Flood" and "Love Song For A Savior" are classics that still cast a long shadow over much of the band's entire run.
So imagine the pressure they faced in crafting their second album. How could they avoid the dreaded sophomore slump? Should they adhere close to their winning sound from their debut or change it up? When success comes so quickly and so strongly, often there is no one answer that will please everyone. So Jars of Clay charted their own course to help define themselves as industry legends.
A Sonic Evolution
The answer to whether the band stuck to their debut sound or chose to go a different route is sort of--both. On one hand, you can definitely tell in every note of this album that it's a Jars of Clay release. The band's driving acoustic guitar rock sound provides the bite for many of the record's tracks. Not to mention the sound gives the softer songs a moody edge.
Lead singer Dan Hastletine's vocals sound clean and introspective, which brings the band's lyrical poetry life. Yet, despite Jars of Clay's debut not exactly being a party anthem album, Much Afraid somehow manages to up the ante on the somber factor.
While many songs on the debut explore the calmer and sadder side of human emotions, Much Afraid really leans into the meditative melancholy. Even the anthemic opener "Overjoyed" carries an ironically reflective tone. Lead single "Crazy Times" is almost haunting in its subtle hook while "Weighed Down" finds the band in perhaps their moodiest space yet.
Despite this, the band's melodies are as strong as ever. "Five Candles (You Were There)" is a pop anthem that explores feelings of a child's loneliness. Written for the movie Liar, Liar, the song ended up being instead featured in the oft-maligned holiday flick, Jack Frost. Apart from this, though, the song is one of the album's real treats, showing the best of the Jars of Clay sound.
"Fade to Grey" was another rocker, written at the same time as many of the songs on the band's debut. While building slowly, when the chorus hits, it gives the album a burst of energy. Even album closer "Hymn" feels very Jarslike, an uplifting precursor to the work the band would do with contemporary band City on a Hill a few years later.
Pushing Onward
Jars of Clay would remain an A-list presence in Christian music for well over another decade. They would, however, likely never see the commercial success they had from their debut record. Their sophomore album would benefit greatly from the halo effect of their debut's rising star.
While its overall album sales would trail its predecessor, it remains the band's highest-charting debut on the Billboard 200 and is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). All five of its radio singles hit No. 1 on various Christian music radio charts. While songs like "Crazy Times" and "Fade to Grey" wouldn't become as iconic as the hits from their debut record, they enjoyed high rankings in the Jars of Clay song list nonetheless.
So if you're a fan of songs like "Flood" but feel like you maybe missed Jars of Clay's sophomore era, use this upcoming 25th anniversary as a chance to reacquaint yourself with the band's underappreciated second outing that helped further cement their status as one of Christian music's all-time legends.
J.J. Francesco is a long-time contributor to the NRT Staff. He's published the novel 'Because of Austin' and regularly seeks new ways to engage faith, life, and community. He is currently working on releasing a brand new novel.
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