Christian Music Today recently posted their review of the Greatest Hits album. Although Love Is The Protest gets the thumbs up, they're not impressed with the album as a whole. However, the disappointment seems to be more with Essential Records than the band:

If you absolutely need an official compilation, get The Essential Jars of Clay. Otherwise, skip this one, because if Essential isn't going to invest in a comprehensive best-of for Jars of Clay, then why should you?

Credit: NewMath from the jarchives forum.

Labels: Reviews

With Christmas Songs, Jars of Clay have accomplished a rare feat, delivering a thoroughly modern set that "feels" classic, while introducing new material into the lexicon. Ethereal with rich strings as an overarching motif, it's a collection that will easily be enjoyed even beyond the holidays.

Read The Trades' full review here.

Labels: Christmas Album, Reviews

Anyone that has had a holiday party at their house knows the struggle of finding a great Christmas album. Look no further, Christmas Songs is that album. No fat, no filler, no over the top holiday goofiness; from start to finish, Jars Of Clay deftly capture the chill of the season and the warmth of the holidays for one amazing listen.

Read the full review from IGN Music here.

Labels: Christmas Album, Reviews

By avoiding the temptation to retread holiday chestnuts bombarding shopping-mall loudspeakers--opting instead for idiosyncratic covers and band originals--Jars have crafted an album that’s unique not just on the holiday CD rack, but within the band’s own catalogue.

Read the full review from Paste Magazine here.

Labels: Christmas Album, Reviews

Fans of the band's music will no doubt rejoice when they hear Christmas Songs as it is very much in keeping with their signature sound. For the uninitiated, the songs can be a little jarring at first but slowly will start to grow on you.

There is another Chrismtas Songs review that is waiting for you to check out, this time by Blog Critics Magazine. Check it out here.

Labels: Christmas Album, Reviews

Check out what the Charleston Post and Courier had to say about Christmas Songs:

The biggest Christian rock group ever to break into alternative radio has released a pretty decent collection of music that actually tries to serve up something other than the same old Christmas songs. Particularly good are 'Winter Skin,' as well as the cover of Paul McCartney's 'Wonderful Christmastime.' Jars of Clay get a tree.

Read the entire article, Which Artists Have Been Naughty and Which Have Been Nice, which includes reviews of albums from several other artists, here.

Labels: Christmas Album, Reviews

Check out what concert reviewer Dave Tianen of the Milwaukee Journal Star had to say about the Christmas tour in his article, Christian Rockers Take Christmas Music Further:

Jars of Clay steps even further away from the predictable mode of most contemporary Christmas music. "O Little Town of Bethlehem" opens with a pulsing bass line and then builds momentum to a full, almost U2-ish finish. "Little Drummer Boy" opens with a very simple percussion line and almost a toy piano accompaniment and gradually grows to roaring guitars and a full prog-rock finale.

He reviews the whole concert...to read what else he had to say about Jars of Clay, click here.

Labels: Reviews, Tour

The Times West Virginian recently published a thoughtful review of Christmas Songs:

This isn’t the kind of album you will hear blasted along parade routes or blaring from your aunt’s speakers during your holiday meal. It’s an album that you need to be alone with to truly enjoy. Great for long holiday car trips, some time in front of the fireplace on a snowy night, or any alone time you have to focus on why Christmas exists.

To read the whole article, click here.

Labels: Reviews

CCM has elected the best 12 Christmas albums of the year, and put Jars at number three spot (Vickie Winans got the number one, followed by Relient K) and said some nice things about Christmas Songs:

Christmas Songs is the first fruit of Jars of Clay’s new label imprint, and a solid beginning. They turn some familiar classics on their ear (a lush “Wonderful Christmastime” and an atmospheric “O Little Town of Bethlehem), while evocatively illustrating other pristine seasonal moments (the tender jazz-flaired “Hibernation Day” and a show-stopping “Winter Skin”). Definitely one of the season’s best.

Check out more right here.
Credit: illusionescape from the Jarchives forum

Labels: Christmas Album, Reviews

The Jesus Freak Hideout gave the new Jars of Clay album a perfect score in their new review:

New Christmas projects seldom sound quite this elaborate or vibrant...After multiple listens, the initial wonder does not wane: Jars Of Clay's Christmas Songs may be the best modern Christmas album to come along in a long, long time.

Read the entire review here.

Labels: Christmas Album, New Releases, Reviews

Tonight I made the trek to Lincoln, Nebraska to see Jars perform for the State Fair.

The band was in rare form tonight, playing to an audience of around 1,500 that seemed to get more into the show as the night went on.

In addition to playing the usual INXS and Gerry Rafferty covers, Jars also performed their rendition America's Lonely People during the encore.

I'm not an expert writer when it comes to concert reviews, but I can say that it was an excellent show - the band seemed real pleased with the crowd's receptiveness. Dan spoke about the Christmas album, Steve plugged Magnificent Me, and the giant earth ball was tossed about with great fervor.

Here are a few quick notes about the show:

Jeremy was missing in action tonight. A stripe-shirted bearded fellow filled in with a different flavor and few mishaps.


The summer shorts have now been etched into history with this new commemorative t-shirt.


If you happen to catch a Jars of Clay show before next Tuesday, the Essential Records version of Live Monsters is now available at the merch table.

Set List:
Good Monsters
Work
God Will Lift Up Your Head
Nothing But The Blood
Take Me Higher
Love Song For A Savior
There Is A River
Oh My God
All My Tears
Flood
Dead Man
Love Me
Revolution
Don't Change
(encore)
Liquid
Lonely People
Baker Street
Light Gives Heat

Labels: Reviews, Tour

New Christmas projects seldom sound quite this elaborate or lush, with the traditional covers revived in often brand new ways and originals having simply fun or beautifully reflective tones. After several listens, the initial wonder has not waned... This just may be the best modern Christmas album to come along in a long, long time.

Go read the entire (p)review and listen to samples of each track here. Thanks goes to Jeremy for finding this one.

Labels: Reviews