Discography
Good Monsters (2006)
Redemption Songs (2005)
Who We Are Instead (2003)
Furthermore – From the Studio : From the Stage (2003)
The Eleventh Hour (2002)
If I Left the Zoo (1999)
Much Afraid (1997)
Drummer Boy - EP (1995)
Jars of Clay (1995)

  Grace Hotel
  Overall rating: ++++-

Album Reviews

Jars of Clay: (The Eleventh Hour) To get right to the point, I will begin with a question. What is the point of Jars of Clay? Are they supposed to be evangelical (as in sharing the gospel)? Are they a "Christian" band that is meant to stir up the emotions and feelings of people that profess to be Christians? Or, are they simply to be lumped in with all the other "inspirational" artists of our day? I guess that I am just looking for someone to tell me what they are trying to accomplish. If you are hoping to reach your "alternative" non-Christian friends with the message of Christ as Lord and Savior with a pretty tight sounding band, this will not do it. If you are looking to encourage your Christian brothers and sisters in their faith, this might do it. I found myself having to search for the Christian message more times than not. The lyrics are very nice. I have NO problem with them at all. They are just there, nothing overly thought provoking and not much to make me search my heart and soul. This brings me back to the point.....what is it that they hope to accomplish. My non believing friends actually like them "for a Christian rock band" because they don't feel like they are getting preached at. Things seem to be status quo with the message, nice, perky, fluffy and artsy. For non Christian people to like them because they do not use the name "Jesus Christ" and because there is nothing really offensive to their sinful lifestyles in the message being sung (unless one really combs through it) is really a scary and sad thing. Musically speaking, it is a great "next step". As a strong Christian man, I can find hope and meaning within the lyrics (even when Vampires are mentioned). I long for the day when Christian music will be what it says, or at least what is definitely implies....Christian! What is it that makes something Christian???? Is it not Christ, Jesus Christ that saves those that cry out to him for salvation! Is it not the shed blood of the spotless lamb of God that truly sets us apart from the world???!!! While this is a good album as far as sound goes, the lyrics are sub-par. Vocals are excellent, as well as musicianship. I implore musicians everywhere, as the apostle Paul did with Timothy...."preach the Word, in season and out,......". Buy this record if you are a fan, or if you are just looking for some good music. If you are looking for something that is musically excellent as well as sharing the gospel, keep looking. For this, Justin and Shane Barnard are absolutely perfect. Christ Jesus is lifted up and exalted at every turn. Thanks so much  ~ Steven Draa

Jars has always been one of my all-time fav bands. I have ALL their albums and I'll put this one at #3 all time. These guys can sing and harmonize. They are talented musicians, awesome guitarists. Dan's voice is so unique and distinct and really carries the soul of their songs (listen to 'needful hands' on furthermore album. it's special). They are great lyricists and their music is so creative and organic yet so simple at the same time. Being such a HUGE fan of Jars, I will say that "Who we are instead" is probably their most diversified album to date. I say this because everything is creative, from the album cover to the broad range of musical styles that differ from song to song. There are only a couple fast songs. But aside from that, Jars really dives deep into lyrics and mood/melody through this album. My favorite track that I feel embodies the message and mood of this album is track 6 - faith enough. The lyrics and sound is just awesome in this song. Track 4 - 'only alive' is a similar song to "redemption" and "dig" from Furthermore. Track 3 - lonely people - reminded me of Chris Rice, a solo Christian artist. if you haven't heard him he is awesome as well. good lyrics in this one as well. Tracks 2, 10 and 11 are the gospel influences in Jars' sound. They are backed up by awesome gospel choir soloists. All in all, this album sends a message out in each song and the instruments are not overdone nor is the production. The majority of this album can be a coffeehouse style of an album, similar to the studio cd 1 in Furthermore. But I have to put Jars' 1st album at #1, followed by Eleventh Hour, and then 'who we are instead'. Thanks for listening, hope this was useful! God Bless. ~ Jimmy

Jars of Clay. Every time I even hear the name mentioned, quoted, or passed in an ongoing sentence, it always throws me into a loophole of the past 5+ years that I have been listening to the band. Ever since the original self-titled debut album, I have been following Jars of Clay and their music has just gotten better and better. Before November 4, my all-time favorite Jars album was The Eleventh Hour. How does every album they release always live up to the previous album and surpass it time after time? Surely, the Eleventh Hour, with awesome songs like Disappear, Something Beautiful, Fly, I Need You, and the Edge of Water get any better? Well, with the amazing album of Who We Are Instead, I am again quickly reminded that Jars of Clay has held the standard of Christian music and there has never yet been a band to match them as soon as they entered the scene. Whether or not you are a Jars of Clay fan, buy this album, because you will be most pleased with it, I am sure. Get the deluxe edition too, because it has the most amazing song of Tonight on there and it is awesome! It has a "Rose colored stained glass windows" sound to it. Jars of Clay is the best, I hope and pray they continue making albums! ~ Aaron Didlake

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