Jars of Clay - Jars of Clay
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CD Details
Artist: Jars of ClayEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Published)
CD Release Date: 1995-10-24
Music Label: Essential
Soundtracks:
- Liquid
- Sinking
- Love Song For A Savior
- Like A Child
- Art In Me
- He
- Boy On A String
- Flood
- Worlds Apart
- Blind
Music reviews of Jars of Clay
Music Review: Their First Album; Their Best Album
Rating: 5 Stars
Songs played on the radio stations are separated as religions are in churches. Certain stations are devoted to rap, while others strictly play country. There are the pop stations and the alternative rock stations. Sometimes, radio stations will simply play whatever is popular, making the mixing of genres not so uncommon. However, it is very uncommon for secular stations to play a Christian song on air, until recently when Mercy Me's song, "I Can Only Imagine," received a lot of play on pop stations. In the mid 90's, a new Christian band was introduced to the music industry. As most Christian artists are first recognized on Christian stations, this band made themselves known on secular radio stations. Their first release was played on both alternative and pop stations, as well as Christian stations. This band is Jars of Clay, and though they have several albums out today, the album that started their career is absolutely amazing.Jars of Clay thoroughly expressed their abilities to produce an individual style in sounds and lyrics on their first album. Each song on the album holds a unique excellence, in that none of them are similar in sound, with the exception of the instruments used. As soon as a flowing melody is listened to, the next track pops up out of nowhere with a more upbeat tune.
First time listeners are exposed to Jars of Clay's talent when they hear "Liquid", the song that launches off the album. The dramatic introduction of the album chimes in with the cry of the violin and deep beat hanging on behind the vocals. The lyrics are devoted to the death of Christ on the cross, with the strength of the words singing "Blood-stained brow, He wasn't broken for nothing / Arms nailed down, He didn't die for nothing" and the repetition of "This is the one thing, the one thing that I know." The song fades out with the strings to end it.
Jars of Clay is renowned for their song entitled "Flood", which hit secular radio stations in 1995. "Flood" was their first release off their self-titled debut album from Essential Records. The guys of the band took a big plunge into the secular music industry with the release of this song. They proved themselves to be a light shining in a dark world by the words of the chorus intended to be a cry out to God, "Lift me up - when I'm falling / Lift me up - I'm weak and I'm dying / Lift me up - I need You to hold me / Lift me up - keep me from drowning again". "Flood" begins with the low, intense voice of Dan Haseltine, while the guitar haunts the background. Then, with a burst of rhythmic energy, the chorus jumps in loud and strong, only to slow back down afterwards. The bridge takes the song to a whole different level, softening the seriousness that the intro and chorus offers. The violins calm the setting and fixed idea of the stressful flood. The lyrics of the bridge flow right along with the melody of the smooth strings and softer voice that sings "Calm the storms that drench my eyes / Dry the streams still flowing / Casting down all waves of sin / And guilt that overflow me". But sure enough, as the last lyric is sung, the chorus picks right back up, and the song ends with the unforgettable tune of the guitar.
"Flood" was a good strong start to Jars of Clay's music career, but the alternative song was opposed by their next release "Love Song for a Savior," which played only on Christian radio stations. It is a beautiful song about the process of growing in the Christian walk with God, hence the lyrics of the chorus that repeat "I want to fall in love with You." The melodic guitar and relaxing vocals allow the listener to experience how powerful God is and what it means to love Him. The sounds of the song are like taking a deep breath and being satisfied with the good, long exhale.
Jars of Clay reveals their sympathy with the song "He," touching on the subject of child abuse. Listeners are sucked into the world of a broken-hearted child as the song begins with the distant sounds of a playground. "Don't try to reach me, I'm already dead" is the opening verse, allowing the listener to grasp the emotions of the situation. The band captures the pain of abused children as they play the role of a child questioning, "Daddy, don't you love me / Then why do you hit me / And momma don't you love me / Then why do you hurt me." Hope is found towards the ending of the song, as it beautifully ends echoing descriptions of God.
"Like a Child" is one of the more upbeat songs on the album. The lyrics are written as a letter to God. The mood of the song is set when the first verse plunges right into the plucking of the guitar strings, then jumps into the happiness of the chorus. "Like a Child" is about being able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us with having the faith of a little child. Jars of Clay displays this theme well through the tone and lyrics of the song and the feeling of wanting to add motion to the fun beats and rhythms used.
As the way of everything, all good things must come to an end. The album is brought to an end with the song titled "Blind." The sleepy tunes wind down the adventure of the previous nine songs. The soft, orchestral sounds of the song naturally establishes a mellow mood. "Blind" is the most tuned-down song on the album, but is able to express the band's talent just as much as the other songs. All ten songs bring forth the journey of the bright and God-inspired minds of Jars of Clay. However, if these songs weren't enough to fulfill the end of the album, listen for a pleasant and melodic surprise about two minutes after the last song. Just when the good sounds are thought to have come to an end, more talent is scooped onto the plate...
Description of Jars of Clay
The band's first album.Christian & Gospel CDs
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