Jars of Clay - Furthermore From the Studio From the Stage (21 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

What have I been missing?

Mark Baker | Santa Clarita, CA United States | 03/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, I confess, I'm not a Jars of Clay fan. Or at least I didn't think I was. I've enjoyed a couple of their songs over the years, but given a choice, I've stayed away from their CDs. I bought this one because I got a really good deal on it and I knew I liked some of the songs. When I stuck it in, however, I was blown away by the songs presented here.The first CD (from the studio) is a rerecording of some of their best known songs in a more acoustic style. Not being a huge fan before this CD, I'm not used to how the songs used to sound, but they sound wonderful here. This CD also features three (I believe) new songs recorded especially for this best of.The second CD (from the stage) is a recording of even more classics at a concert. From a newbie's standpoint, this CD is slightly disappointing when the band cuts out to let the audience sing the words. Since I don't know them, I miss what's going on. But this is a minor irritant.I've really been impressed with the group's lyrics and musical skills. I'm going to have to give other CD's a try now and catch up on what I've been missing."

Giving us reasons to buy

Alex B. Parrish | Lexington, KY USA | 03/21/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am not a fan of greatest hits albums. I figure, if I like the band well enough, I am gonna get all their albums anyway, leaving me with no reason to want the hits at all. So then bands started putting new songs on their greatest hits. That's all well and good, but I kind of feel like that's sort of an irony... putting a song that nobody ever heard before on a collection of songs that everyone supposedly loves.Jars of Clay has given something in this 2-disc set that revives new hope for greatest hits albums. Instead of asking you to buy this collection for basically the 3 new songs and the occasional need to play the whole CD if you are too lazy to load the other albums in your CD player, they have re-recorded the old stuff in a new way. It's acoustic, a lot; it's evenly balanced throughout the whole album... it feels good. Then they give you a live disc, again something not offered before... it's like a whole different experience. It's current, too... Jars' style has evolved over the year and is much cooler than it was when they started. I loved "liquid" when the debut came out, but this new, coffehouse-ish version really gives a different twist on the song.Good job, guys. You have taken care of your fans. And I must say... the 3 new songs certainly could qualify as future greatest hits."

Great CD, but don't expect their first album

ko98td97 | Ohio | 05/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is an amazing project from an amazing band. It is also affordably priced for a 2 CD set. Almost every track on the studio CD sings. The high point of that CD are the back-to-back Dig and Redemption combo (both of which are first releases). Redemption is by far the most beautiful song I've heard in a long time...reflective and soulful. Dig has a really gritty feel to it, both lyricly and musically. Dan Haseltine's suger-sweet voice can't quite pull it off the gritty feel the rest of the song required, but he somehow managed to make it work anyway. The stage CD contains all of the old favorites, drawing on songs from their 1st, 2nd and 4th albums (If I left the Zoo is strangely absent). The high points of this CD are the Darwin Hobbs Choir accompaniment of I'm Alright and Revolution, along with their classic Worlds Apart which always sounds great live.All in all, a great CD to everyone not expecting a repeat of their first album. Their first album was an inventive and unique mix of classical instruments, techno tracks and modern acoustic instrumentation. However, it was released in 1995, and any band who is doing the some thing for 8 years is artistically stagnant. What makes Jars such a great band is that they are always doing different things with their music, while retaining and refining the poetic lyrics that are clearly written from their Christian point of view, yet manage to avoid cliche and remain accessible to people who are outside Christianity."

Classic Jars formula makes "Futhermore" more of the same

ko98td97 | 02/08/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Furthermore" is a treat for Jars of Clay fans, who will be excited to see all the attention given to this latest release just months after "The Eleventh Hour."
The first disc of "Furthermore" consists of new studio recordings. Three new songs keep this disc from feeling like a "greatest hits" album. "The Valley Song" follows the classic Jars of Clay formula, but "Dig" and "Redemption" head in a different direction. Most notably, "Redemption" experiments with slide guitar licks and a melodica playing counter melodies. The highest point of the disc, however, is Jars' jazzy reinterpretation of "Overjoyed," featuring drummer Joe Porter playing with brushes and Charlie Lowell on what sounds like a slightly out of tune upright piano. With the exception of the clever "Liquid" and the wonderfully harmonized odd-meter tune "Something Beautiful," the band follows their original blueprints for the remaining songs of disc one. The listener is left wondering why these songs needed to be re-recorded in the first place.Disc two demonstrates that Jars of Clay has the talent and energy to make a smooth transition to the rock arena from the studio. Music listeners with more alternative tastes in music will probably prefer Jars' live treatment of songs from "The Eleventh Hour." Essentials "Like and Child" and "Flood" ensure that even casual Jars fans will appreciate the concert. Also included on disc two is the beautiful "This Road," this version featuring and electric guitar. The disc's most disappointing instance is when the Darwin Hobbes choir joins Jars for the rocking "Revolution," giving it a flavor that doesn't taste quite right. Jars of Clay skimps on their more experimental, lesser known fare to deliver exactly what fans want: the hits. "Furthermore" is a satisfying showcase of Jars' talent and energy, but fails to capture the originality that separates them from other acoustic/alternative acts. It is certainly enough to keep listeners content until the next studio release. Most importantly, "Furthermore" reflects the passionate faith of Jars of Clay."

Closer to God

Michael Millett | Naples Florida USA | 12/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jars is an annointed band with great musical skills. God has blessed them wonderfully. A great accompaniement to this CD is the 11th hour DVD which is the concert that you can view. You will appreciate the stage presence of a band that uses the gospel to heighten awareness of listeners to the Grace and Sacrifce of Jesus. I am a new fan and praise the Lord for their songs. Go to letssingit.com and get the lryics for these songs. To read them is tremendously helpfull to knowing what points the band is trying to convey. Enjoy"

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