Jars of Clay
Posted August 19, 2008
By thirdsaint,
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.
Overall - 9.8/10 View All Music And Book Reviews By thirdsaint | View thirdsaint's Profile
|
