Jars Of Clay
Good Monsters is Jars 7th full studio album of new material and it’s being kicked off with a little bit of controversy. Apparently some of the “gatekeepers” in the Christian music world are getting their feathers ruffled over a comment made by Jars lead vocalist Dan Haseltine (posted on the website jarchives.com) in which he said, “Don't be surprised by the contemporary Christian music industry...They have created a monster and now they do not know how to kill it gracefully. And even though it is a monster, most times its motives are to become a very good monster.” From that I gather that the title of the new Jars of Clay album is a not so veiled reference to the Christian music industry, and probably the entire evangelical sub-culture in general. Fine by me. He’s acknowledged that they’re a part of it and isn’t being hypocritical, just stating something that is all too true.
Hopefully this controversy will attract attention to this album rather than distract from it, because Good Monsters happens to be the best music Jars has ever made. Unbelievable song writing and world-class production back up that big, bold statement. The bands loyal following will love this release, but more importantly all the critics and fans that have written them off or become tired of their trademark sound over the past few albums will be surprised. This is not just another Jars of Clay record.
There is a passion and intensity in the performance that I’ve never seen from this group. From Dan’s vocals to the guitars and keyboards provided by Stephen, Matthew and Charlie you can hear an edge and a sense of purpose. “Work” opens up the album with driving guitars and rhythms and has the melody to make it a surefire single. The biggest surprise though is “Dead Man (Carry Me),” with its Police sounding guitars, and infectious chorus. It sounds like nothing this band has ever done. It’s fresh and it rivals hit singles from the likes of U2 and Coldplay. Another standout track is “Mirrors and Smoke,” a duet with Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer fame that has a groove that just won’t quit.
The lyrics are thought-provoking personal, and profound. The track “There Is a River” talks about redemption saying, “There is a river that washes you clean. There is a tree that marks the places you've been. Blood that was spilled, although not your own. For all of these things, love will atone.” While on “Oh My God” we actually feel the despair as they sing, “Sometimes when I lose my grip, I wonder what to make of heaven. All the times I thought to reach up, all the times I had to give up. Babies underneath their beds, in hospitals that cannot treat them. All the wounds that money causes, all the comforts of cathedrals. All the cries of thirsty children, this is our inheritance. All the rage of watching mothers, this is our greatest offense. Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God.”
It is good to see Jars of Clay not phoning it in at this point in their career. They’ve been around a long time now and delivered a number of great albums yet Good Monsters finds the band at its peak creatively and artistically. It all comes down to the songs and this is the best collection they have ever delivered. Here’s hoping there’s even more to come, but it’s hard to imagine it getting any better than this.
[Essential] Dr. Tony Shore
*Haseltine controversy & Quote Source: freshreleases.com
and crossrhythms.co.uk
Original Quote appeared here: jarchives.com
©2006 HM Magazine - All Rights Reserved
Return to Album Reviews
Comments
By Ryan
I appreciate your review and that you liked the record. However, I don't think the "controversial" quote is very helpful to post outside of its context both now and at the time it was scattered across the web. It's just propagating further tension that probably shouldn't have existed in the first place. I was surprised to see it resurface considering the band has said avidly that the album is not the result of that conversation about the Christian Music Industry. Period. The record's themes are much bigger and more universal than something that small. It's almost belittling, I think, to insinuate that Jars would put together an entire album for something so insignificant. Rather it is based off the quote by Edmund Burke (1729-1797) that says, "All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." The record is about wrestling with our depravity and our ill-nature despite our intentions to do good and all that lies within this dichotomy. Can this apply to the CCM industry? Absolutely, but it also applies to literally everything in this fallen world, and the band in Good Monsters is first pointing the critical finger at their own hearts as well yours and mine.
By Dr. Tony Shore
Ryan (or Matt :-),
I really appreciate the comments that you posted on the HM Mag website in response to my review, they are very insightful and well written. I agree with all your points, although I doubt this review is doing anything to propagate any "further tension." I love the band (great guys) and I know that the album title isn't all about that silly controversy. I just found that interesting and it was just going around the web when I wrote the review, which was a long time ago really. In fact, I wanted that portion removed from the print version of the magazine and it was. I understand completely the deeper meaning of the album and realize that the album title and concept isn't all about that and I don't think I said or implied that it was all about that. If it came across that way, or hurt the band in any way I truly do want to apologize for that because I think these guys are good people and I strongly feel this is their best work yet.
Thanks again for the insightful comments.
Dr. Tony Shore
