Album covers both studio and stage
By BECCA SAUNDERS
Fast, slow, light, hard, rock, gospel — it is all explored and well found in Jars of Clay's newest album Furthermore: From the Studio From the Stage. In this, essentially a greatest hits album with a twist, Jars of Clay shows every aspect of their musical talent, producing songs that elicit different emotions throughout the duration of the album.
Furthermore is composed of two discs. The first, From the Studio, contains 11 songs recorded in their own studio in Nashville, Tenn. Eight of the songs are new arrangements of old Jars of Clay hits, accompanied by three new songs. The second disc, From the Stage, is a recording of their latest Eleventh Hour tour. The two discs have very different tones, even though some songs actually appear on both discs. From the Studio has a much softer and acoustic tone to it. While From the Stage is much more upbeat with a harder sound, as is appropriate for a recording of a concert.
From the Studio features Jars of Clay newest single, "The Valley Song." A mournful tone and soft guitar with light percussion creates the mood of the song. Lead singer Dan Haseltine shared at a recent concert that "The Valley Song" was written years ago during a painful time for the band and "was not a song that we planned on ever recording." It is lucky for all that they did decide to record this beautifully and earnestly written song. Behind a soft melody, Haseltine sings beautifully composed lyrics such as, "When death like a gypsy comes to steal what I love" and "though the pain is an ocean, tossing us around, around, around." The imagery is moving and the melody carries the lyrics gently and fluidly throughout the song.
The rest of the songs on the first disc are also very gentle, but this does not weaken the album at all. In fact, it actually strengthens it. While the Christian themes are very heavy throughout the album, with track titles such as "Love Song for a Savior," "Redemption" and "Needful Hands," the direct Christian theme is not the sum of what the album covers lyrically. The focus is definitely on Christianity but not to the extent that it begins to distract from the music.
The second disc is much more upbeat than the first. From the Stage features most of the songs from Jars of Clay's Grammy winning Eleventh Hour album, live, in concert form. From the Stage is a disc that is enjoyable for anyone and everyone as the music styles jump all over the place, while maintaining a uniquely consistent Jars of Clay style and sound throughout the entirety of the disc. The songs move from slower emotional songs with light guitar and slight bass, such as "The Eleventh Hour" to songs as unique as "Revolution," which features a gospel choir backing up the lead vocals of Haseltine.
Furthermore is an album that is immensely enjoyable for all Jars of Clay fans. There are a lot of improvising and slight variations on favorite songs throughout the album. However, even for those who have never even heard of Jars of Clay, this album is strong and carries itself. By completion of the album, it is near impossible to not be a fan.
Contact Becca Saunders at saunders.8@nd.edu
All Scene Stories for Tuesday, April 8, 2003
