Solid Solo Debut | Posted January-30-2008
Phil Joel is best known for his role in the pop group Newsboys. Now does he look familiar? With songs like this, he started a very popular solo carear. Phil is a principle writer for Newsboys and he wrote the songs on this album. "Salvador" is an amazing song and by far the highlight of the album! If you like Newsboys, you'll love Phil's solo debut, produced by bandmate Peter Furler.
Not Great | Posted January-30-2008
Think of what it's like to have 5 kids in the same room hopped up on high dosages of caffeine and sugar. Now give these kids these the ability of gymnastics, singing and a love for Christ and you have Jump5 at its core. Lesley, Libby, Chris, Brandon and Brittany, all under the age of 15, come out jumping, cart-wheeling, flipping and splitting into your ears with high-energy music targeted straight at tweens and no one else. The music is way overproduced, but that's the genre these kids live in. At the same time, the songs are chalk full of hooks and drum loops and it's easy to see how this album will give instant gratification to their target demo. But to give 13 and 12 year old kids the lead vocals when they are obviously hitting that voice changing age is almost torture to the ears. The extra "kid developed" emotion is a little over the top. Sedative anyone? A definite recommendation to anyone under 14, but that's about it.
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.
Third Album Switches Up Again | Posted January-30-2008
We are beginning to learn a little fact about this band: Do not fall in love with a particular sound because more often than not, they will change it on the next album. So is the case, again, on If I Left The Zoo, the third album from the multi-platium selling group Jars Of Clay. Zoo explores many new playing fields for the band, from Dan's lead on vocals, to the entire bands exploration of new worlds within their music. The product is an completely new sound, that confuses the fan for the first couple "listen-throughs" but they once again, as before on Much Afraid, create a sound that we can all fall in love with. Lyrically, the focus is on relationships, with God and with man. No One Loves Me Like You Do is a wonderful acoustic song that drives home a message of everlasting love. We are still waiting for another song from this band that could have as much success as Flood. So far, two albums later, we are exploring musically with the band, which may be a good thing. A wonderful new creation from an ever developing band and keeps us all on our toes. I give this album a B+
Changing It Up Again | Posted January-30-2008
We are beginning to learn a little fact about this band: Do not fall in love with a particular sound because more often than not, they will change it on the next album. So is the case, again, on If I Left The Zoo, the third album from the multi-platium selling group Jars Of Clay. Zoo explores many new playing fields for the band, from Dan's lead on vocals, to the entire bands exploration of new worlds within their music. The product is an completely new sound, that confuses the fan for the first couple "listen-throughs" but they once again, as before on Much Afraid, create a sound that we can all fall in love with. Lyrically, the focus is on relationships, with God and with man. No One Loves Me Like You Do is a wonderful acoustic song that drives home a message of everlasting love. We are still waiting for another song from this band that could have as much success as Flood. So far, two albums later, we are exploring musically with the band, which may be a good thing. A wonderful new creation from an ever developing band and keeps us all on our toes.
Getting Better | Posted January-30-2008
Jars of Clay's fourth studio album finds the band in yet another new setting as their creativity leads them to another sound different from all previous recordings. Focusing more on their roots, The Eleventh Hour is very much an acoustic album. Songs like "Something Beautiful," "Scarlet," "These Ordinary Days," "The Edge of Water" and "Silence" are all very well written, but I find them hard to listen to. They are just so slow. You keep wanting to kick them in the backside and get them going, you know? Songs that save this album include "I Need You," "Whatever She Wants" and the breakout beat driven song, "Revolution," which is musically their best endeavor yet. As much as I continue to enjoy their music, I still wish that they would pick up the pace a little and focus on a style that is great to listen to other than at the "eleventh hour" of the night.
Great Collection Of Fan Favorites | Posted January-30-2008
Jars of Clay returned to the studio to place a new sound on seven of their past songs and to create three new offerings that would be included with a second disc full of live recordings. The result is Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage, a great throwback to the past seven years in the group's musical history. The first disc, From the Studio, simplifies songs like "Overjoyed," "Liquid" and "Love Song For A Savior" by stripping out most of the instruments to create an effective acoustic atmosphere. This is what MTV Unplugged: Jars of Clay would sound like. The new songs are also written in this context and the highlight is "The Valley Song (Sing Of Your Mercy)." Vertical lyrics like "I will sing of Your mercy / That leads me through valleys of sorrow / To rivers of joy," make it obvious that their faith is still the centerpiece of their writing. The second disc, From the Stage, is the much anticipated live record following their successful 11Live DVD. It's a nice blend of both new and old as songs like "Disappear," "Crazy Times," "Like A Child" and recent hits "Fly" and "I Need You" are played for a very energetic crowd. That said, it's a live record that has little surprises but does a good job of capturing the experience of a Jars concert. So it does its job. Overall, this is an great collection of fan favorites that deviates from the standard "best of" album. With a sticker price matching a single disc, it makes it that much more enjoyable.
Great Collection of Fan Favorites | Posted January-30-2008
Jars of Clay returned to the studio to place a new sound on seven of their past songs and to create three new offerings that would be included with a second disc full of live recordings. The result is Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage, a great throwback to the past seven years in the group's musical history. The first disc, From the Studio, simplifies songs like "Overjoyed," "Liquid" and "Love Song For A Savior" by stripping out most of the instruments to create an effective acoustic atmosphere. This is what MTV Unplugged: Jars of Clay would sound like. The new songs are also written in this context and the highlight is "The Valley Song (Sing Of Your Mercy)." Vertical lyrics like "I will sing of Your mercy / That leads me through valleys of sorrow / To rivers of joy," make it obvious that their faith is still the centerpiece of their writing. The second disc, From the Stage, is the much anticipated live record following their successful 11Live DVD. It's a nice blend of both new and old as songs like "Disappear," "Crazy Times," "Like A Child" and recent hits "Fly" and "I Need You" are played for a very energetic crowd. That said, it's a live record that has little surprises but does a good job of capturing the experience of a Jars concert. So it does its job. Overall, this is an great collection of fan favorites that deviates from the standard "best of" album. With a sticker price matching a single disc, it makes it that much more enjoyable.
Americana Flavor In Full Force | Posted January-30-2008
Jars of Clay have often claimed that their records begin with a question. The group's studio release, Who We Are Instead, tackles the issue of who we are truly called to be as Christians in a world that is not our home. Gracefully balancing the mirror themes of joy and suffering, the band maintains their distinctive harmonies and signature guitar sounds while musically exploring gospel, blues, rock and organic influences. While exploration with various sounds is not out of the ordinary for this band (their musical landscape evolves with each release), this is the first time since their 1995 debut that it has felt comfortable from beginning to end. A big surprise on the record lies right in the center. "Trouble Is" captures the Americana flavor of the record in full force, and you can't help but wonder if Jars is toying with the idea of becoming the next Soggy Bottom Boys of O Brother, Where Art Thou. They pull off the southern gospel flavor wonderfully. The standout track on Who We Are Instead is the infectious "Show You Love," one of the best pop singles from the band in recent years. Who We Are Instead fails to provide a song to jam to, but in it's stripped down simplicity you find a peace and joy that is akin to quiet times spent with God. It is there that Jars of Clay lands in the latest offering from a popular group that redefines its sound with each release...this time, for the better.
Debut CD Was Great Pop | Posted January-30-2008
(older review reposted for NRT) Brothers Josh, Marty and Toby Penner make up the new pop group Jake. The moniker is a nod to their dad and grandpa's spiritual legacy. Their debut CD is comparable with mainstream acts LFO and BBMak, but they are nowhere in the "boy band" category as their front cover may make them out to be. Their music is acoustic guitar driven and the vocals are genuine. For a debut album, the production is top notch, received a lot of help from labelmate Michael W. Smith. Songs like "Waiting" and "The Right Time" have struggled to find their place on Christian radio, but only because they are right on that line of contemporary and rock. Highlights on this album include "More" and "Believer" which was also featured on Left Behind: The Movie Soundtrack. Overall, this album is a great listen. The only thing going against them is that their music is a little more mature than their image, and that may confuse both the 12 year old screaming girls and the parents that raise them. Anyone who can appreciate talent over looks (not that their ugly, but you what what we mean) should enjoy this record.
KevinMcNeese_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
![Furthermore: From The Studio, From The Stage [Disc 2] by Jars Of Clay](thum_creater/phpThumb.php?src=../images/album_cover_images/cover_3622.jpg&w=90&h=90&hash=6c24ef1721942344e0af64021b463942)
![Furthermore: From The Studio, From The Stage [Disc 1] by Jars Of Clay](thum_creater/phpThumb.php?src=../images/album_cover_images/cover_3621.jpg&w=90&h=90&hash=6c24ef1721942344e0af64021b463942)
