Jars Of Clay Album: “If I Left the Zoo”

This is a great album. It is one of the best Christian albums that has come out for awhile, period. It has several great potential radio singles, including Unforgetful You, Collide, Famous Last Words, and Can't Erase It. It also has some great slower songs, with good deep lyrics. For fans who think that their first album was their best, there is a song on If I Left the Zoo called River Constantine, which is like a mix of Blind (from their first album) and Frail (from Much Afraid. But it is new and different at the same time. Some of the songs seem odd, because of some of the new sounds that they use on this album, such as on the songs, Goodbye, Goodnight, Unforgetful You, Sad Clown, and I'm Alright. But as surprising as they are at first, once you hear them a few times, you'll probably love them. I did. A great buy, definitely worth the money. They had more fun with this one than they did with Much Afraid. It is lighter, and more laid back. It is also happier. They have Counting Crows drummer playing on the entire album, and Dennis Herring (Counting Crows, Innocence Mission) producing. He pushed them to experiment with new sounds, to go greater strides, and go out of their comfort zones (I'm not making this up), and the results are very good. A true Jars fan shouldn't be disappointed by this excellent album.

This is a great CD. It runs the range from over-the-top rock & roll (alternative sound) to thought-provoking, yet singable little sweet songs. The band is very tight. These guys have real talent. There is only one piece on here that I usually skip past, but that is ALOT more than I can say for most CDs--you know the ones, only one good song on the whole thing. Not the case here. It's great, it is one of my top 5.

Got a teenager or young adult and you don't know what to get them for a gift? You can't go wrong with this CD, unless they already have it. It's edgy enough to satisfy that interest, yet the lyrics are not questionable, and it's very current. Even if the person is not Christian or is of another faith, this CD is not screaming for their conversion to Christianity. There is no mention of Jesus's name, nothing like 'Praise Him' or 'Praise the Lord' although I view many of the songs to be written from His perspective. If you already knew this was a Christian band, you listen to hear that, otherwise you may not even pick up on this aspect. It makes a person think about what God may be like. I am a Christian, but would consider this a mainstream alternative pop rock CD. And it's among the best of all the music out there.

Jars of Clay are absolutely incredible. How these guys continue to crank out consistently great songs like they do is beyond me. To be honest the first few times I heard "If I Left the Zoo" I wasn't overly impressed. But as a long time Jars' fan I knew that I had to give the songs a little time to grow on me. And I'm glad I did. This album explores several new musical styles while still retaining that unmistakable Jars of Clay sound. Their progress musically and lyrically is very evident. Also the whole album seems more layed back than "Much Afraid" which has a good effect. Every single song is good on this album, and it is possibly their best yet. In my opinion the band has made great strides since their first album, which contrary to popular opinion is probably my least favorite album. For all of you first album lovers, keep listening to "If I Left the Zoo." Give it a chance, and you just might change your mind. It's hard for me to list favorites on this album, but I'll name a few: "Goodbye, Goodnight", "Unforgetful You", "Collide", "Famous Last Words", "Grace" and "Can't Erase It". All the songs in between are equally rewarding.

The question is there in the title...Has Jars of Clay left the zoo, have they moved beyond a mere exhibit? As the listener, do you expect them to "entertain you...preoccupy you with wit...are you mesmerized?" (Lyrics from the 6th track, "Sad Clown") The answer to both questions is: Yes. They've left the realm of Christian exhibit, and some fans still want to be mesmerized. JOC wants to move beyond that, they want to break out of the box, challenge the listener, and leave the zoo. Their lives, their faith, and their music move beyond the cages we impose and seek a task larger than we might expect--or allow. Will Christians allow this meek, but giant elephant (as pictured on the cover) to lumber forward and to labor as they've been called to outside the walls of the church? Will we allow them this task? Or will we long nostalgically for the days when we could confine others talents and shape them into our own images? I choose to free them to their task... rather than cutting them down for the value of their tusks and fashioning ivory idols based on my image of how God should--or could--reach those that are still searching. Go JOC...Be free...Be all that God's called you to be...I'll join in your prayer: "God, I admit I've loved these chains and crawling around this cage sometimes has its advantages; I know someday this could get old and I'll need Your healing water to find my home." (from "Grace," the 9th track)

I received this new album for Christmas. I have the two other Jars Of Clay albums as well. The first album is my favorite... the second was Okay. This third one is terrific! Definitely as good as the first, I think. I highly recommend this one to both fans and newcomers to their music! I can't stop playing it. ALL the songs are good. Order this one now... you won't be disappointed!