As long as God keeps putting people on the earth, there will be music. If people stop, the trees and rocks will start singing. We can't escape music. We don't want to. It infuses all we do. It's just that some of us are better at creating (discovering?) music than others.
Jars of Clay is four talented musicians making great music--music from life; music that honors, glorifies, and praises God; music that brings encouragement through shared experience; music that makes you step back and thank God for this amazing gift. These are the themes that run through the best of Christian music, of which Jars is a prime example.
Jars of Clay is admired by a solid fanbase of Christians teens and college students who appreciate both their musicianship and lyrical honesty. And they will not be displeased by If I Left the Zoo. Their 1997 release Much Afraid had its moments but was a general disappointment after their multi-platinum debut album. With their most creative, energetic, and mature album to date, Jars is posed to recapture the radio momentum generated by "Flood" and "Crazy Times" while satisfying its Christian audience with a strong album that deals openly with grace, love, mercy, and wrestling with God.
If I Left the Zoo poses in its very title the question, "What if?" The fun and creativity of the band members brings a relaxed freedom to the album that suitably carries the lyrics, whether it is the prayerful "River Constantine" or the slightly ridiculous "Goodbye, Goodnight", which poses a look at the end of the millennium from the perspective of the Titanic's string players. The first single, "Unforgetful You" is a too-smooth Christian pop song, but the following track, "I Collide", rocks with the fervor of "Flood" yet with the superior production of Dennis Herring (Counting Crows). The down-home feel of "Grace", the gospel backing on "I'm Alright", and the simplicity of "No One Loves Me Like You" introduce welcome musical variations to the alternative-folk-rock style that made their self-titled debut album so popular. Even the weak moments of this album--and there aren't many--continue to push on the themes and musical tone of the album.
Prepare yourself to be impressed. Jars of Clay has produced their best album to date. The zoo will never be the same.
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2001Reviewed by Josh HurstWell, as usual, I find myself in the minority among music fans. I mean, I've been ridiculed for my slight lack of enthusiasm when it comes to the Beatles, and some people seem to think it odd that I don't like Radiohead's Pablo Honey or any of Delirious?'s albums. But this is just beyond strange: I actually love Jars of Clay's third record, If I Left the Zoo. In fact, I think that, in some ways,…The Phantom Tollbooth December 1999Reviewed by James StewartAfter their much-hyped but short-lived sophomore effort, Jars of Clay faced the predicament of whether to return to the successful formula of their first release or to continue exploring new avenues. As it is they seem to have found a way to combine the two possibilities as the sound here has more of the folksy influences of their debut but is not limited to that album's formula. Setting simple…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Michial FarmerWith the possible exception of MxPx, Jars of Clay may be the group most accused of selling out--both musically and lyrically. Many fans grew accustomed to the coffeehouse feel of the band's debut, and, as is typical of Christian music fans, did not like the follow-up, Much Afraid, wanting a repeat of the first album. Fans who did not like Much Afraid will likely be critical of If I Left the Zoo…Similar sounding releases
1997Rick EliasBlink
2002Scott RigganAll I Know
2000Caedmon's CallLong Line of Leavers
1997PFRThe Late Great PFR
1996NewsboysTake Me To Your Leader
1999Charlie PeacockKingdom ComeMore from Jars of Clay
Little Drummer Boy
1997Much Afraid
2005Redemption Songs
2003Who We Are Instead
2003Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage
200211 Live (Video)
