Jars Of Clay Album: “Redemption Songs”

With this album Jars of Clay has really done an excellent of job of setting classic hymns of faith to a new and modern sound. It truly is a great album and does not contain any bad songs. The best song on the whole album is "God will lift up your head" which is probably the best worship song I have heard come out this year. If this song does not get you excited about God's power to restore a broken heart, then listen again to the lyrics more closely. The message is simple and powerful.

This album includes some really nice mellow surprises like the opening track "God be merciful to me" and "Let us love and sing and wonder". I also like the range of music Jars of Clay uses from the Beatle sounding "It is well with my soul" to the haunting "They will know we are Christians by our love". There is something here for practically everyone. As expected the lyrics are powerful - they just don't write words like these in modern worship songs.

I highly recommend this album to any Jars of Clay fan, or anyone interested in becoming more familiar with some old hymns put to modern music. You will be pleased with the results.

Jars of Clay has always been one of my favorite Christian rock bands. Unlike many other artists in the genre, their music comes off as honest, intelligent, and melodic without any of the typical cliches. Perhaps because of that, I've always liked traditional hymns for worship instead of so-called "praise" and "worship" songs, because traditional hymns really do convey the kind of humble witness to God that modern worship songs just don't get across.

And so Jars of Clay, with this wonderful album, has once more produced an incredible album, this time with a twist: all of the songs are traditional hymns, with modern rock/pop arrangements. Now, this may sound like an awful idea to many, but somehow, I feel that Jars of Clay really managed to give these classic songs of praise a modern feel without losing any of their integrity.

Some of the most beautiful songs are those I would never have used the word "beautiful" for- "Some Glad Morning" (called "I'll Fly Away" in this album), "Thou Lovely Source of True Delight" to name a few. In fact, I'll say that "I'll Fly Away" is so good it's worth the price of the entire album. It's truly a haunting and beautiful song of joy, recognizing our own mortality yet praising God for the salvation we know is in store.

Other highlights include the haunting "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love" (certainly a hymn more Christians need to take to heart!), the fun "Nothing But the Blood". and the catchy "It Is Well With My Soul".

Certainly this is an album any Christian can enjoy, whether you're an Evangelical, mainline Protestant or Catholic. As the Bible says, "Sing unto the Lord a new song"- Jars of Clay's "Redemption Songs" are a perfect example of how the old can become new and still be powerful.

If you listen to this CD, one of the first things you will notice is a tendency towards country/bluegrass/folk music (as I also noticed in Who We Are Instead.) Don't get me wrong - I am no fan of country music, but Dan Haseltine's familiar voice soothes over any hint of a twang.

I have to say that the words are great. Most kids my age (high-schoolers) are tuned out to old hymns because of the music they are played to, but I believe that in those old hymns are some of the greatest insights ever written.

The music, as I said, is a little different from the style that Jars had several years ago, but I couldn't imagine this style being done any better. If you liked Who We Are Instead, you will LOVE this CD. I would draw comparisons between the style of this CD and some of the first songs on Who We Are Instead: Sunny Days, Trouble Is, Only Alive.

I would say that the best songs on this disc are (in order of track listing) God Be Merciful To Me, I Need Thee Every Hour, I'll Fly Away, Nothing But The Blood, and It Is Well With My Soul.

So, in conclusion, if you like the direction that Jars of Clay has been headed in with their past release, buy this CD. If you are an old-school Jars fan (which I am as well,) know that the style is different and just check it out before you buy it.

Warning: These tunes will get stuck in your head (but you will enjoy it.)

I'll be honest: I'm not a huge fan of the modern worship songs found on Christian radio today, since 99% of them are bland and lacking in honest content and musical quality. However, after one listen of their single 'God Will Lift Up Your Head,' I knew I had heard something special. Jars of Clay's "Redemption Songs" contains old texts and hymn lyrics rich in spiritual depth, set to music that's riveting and rid of cliche. The record is a breath of fresh air for people who are Christian and have high standards for Christian music's worship genre. My favorite tracks are 'God Will Lift Up Your Head,' 'Let Us Love And Sing And Wonder,' and 'They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love,' because the music and lyrics fit together so perfectly. All of the songs on the album demonstrate the Christian themes of hope, joy, and love beautifully. Jars of Clay proves with this record that modern worship music doesn't need one perspective to attract thoughtful listeners. They have released quite an audacious album, given the current state of the modern worship music world! If you must buy one worship record this year, make the anthemic and unforgettable "Redemption Songs" your choice.

Ten years after their self-titled debut album, Jars of Clay releases Redemption Songs, a collection of hymns and old-time gospel/worship songs. The result is a fantastic CD! Many of these songs I remember from the church I grew up in. Some of my favorites here include "Nothing But the Blood," "God Will Lift Up Your Head," "Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder," "Jesus, I Lift Up My Eyes" and "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love." I also love the souped-up version of "I'll Fly Away," which is not the same version they had on the WOW Worship (Red) CD, but I do love BOTH versions. Several guests are featured here, including The Blind Boys of Alabama, Martin Smith of Delirious and Sarah Kelly. Redemption Songs is a great album full of songs which reflect a total dependence on Christ which should be at the heart of every Christian's being. I really love this release, and I look forward to more great releases from Dan Haseltine & Co. in the future.