Customer Reviews

Furthermore: From the Studio From the Stage

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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

These CDs were my introduction to Jars of Clay, and they absolutely blew me away. The first CD, From The Studio, is undeniably the more muted of the two; but the CD, like the first song "Overjoyed", creeps up on you so that you don't even notice when, exactly, you realized that it is wonderful. "Something Beautiful" is not a complicated song and doesn't need to be, with a simplistically graceful melody and--as in all of the songs--beautiful singing. "The Valley Song (Sing of Your Mercy)" has more layered sounds, and is perhaps even more engaging for its variety. All of the songs here are beautiful: "Dig" has lyrics like "Will the eagle fly if the sky's untrue?" that make your ears perk up and pay attention; "Love Song For A Savior" and "Frail" have compelling refrains that you find yourself humming long after hearing them. "Needful Hands", the final track, is the weakest: it is good in its own right but gets outclassed by the other songs here.

From The Stage is a completely awesome live CD. Its songs are generally more upbeat than those of From The Studio--these are songs that you tap your foot to. It opens with a bang: "Disappear", a full-throated--and typically modest--masterpiece; and it doesn't go down from there. "Like a Child" includes nearly-comic attempts of the band's to get the audience to sing, while the awesome music keeps it completely entertaining. "Crazy Times", "I Need You", and "The Eleventh Hour" all continue in the trend of "Disappear", although with additional terrific drums. "This Road" is the only puzzling aspect of the CD: why break up such energetic songs with this soft, percussion-less piece? I have found that depending what mood you're in, you can skip this track or listen to it; the CD seems just as good either way. "Fly" and "I'm Alright" get the utterly engaging beat and energy back immediately. "Revolution" and "Flood", the climaxes of this CD, feature complex, beat-heavy music, fairly simple lyrics, and succeed completely. The only problem with them is that I often don't listen to the final track, "Worlds Apart", simply because it seems so triumphant to end with "Flood"'s energy instead of "World Apart"'s humility.
To summarize... definitely grab this!

Jars of Clay is one of my favorite bands, so when I saw FURTHERMORE, their new CD, there was no question that I'd buy it, in spite of being broke. Some things are more important than money, like music that feeds the spirit. This CD does just that.

Furthermore is a 2-CD set, 91 minutes total, with 10 studio cuts and 11 from the stage.

Seven of the 10 studio cuts are a reprise of earlier works: Overjoyed (Much Afraid); Liquid, Frail, and Love Song for a Savior (Jars of Clay); Needful Hands; and a couple others I don't recognize. These songs aren't lifted and copied from earlier CDs. They're more pared down versions of the originals with less studio production but the same attention to melody, lyric, and vocals. The lyrics to the three new tunes (The Valley Song, Dig, and Redemption) are inside the jewel case. Redemption is definitely my favorite. This melodic ballad seems to say God's redemption is still available to us in the most unexpected places and in spite of our failures and frailty. Nice slide guitar and harmonica touches. This band understands that "less is more" and keeps the lyric and melody as the centerpiece of each tune.

The 11-tune live CD is mostly songs Jars have done before with a blues-type medley thrown in near the middle. This blues interlude cost the CD one star in my review. I'm not a blues fan and would've preferred the band had stayed in more familiar waters. But the fans enjoyed it, and enthusiastic participation from the audience comes through loud and clear. Live cuts include Like A Child, Flood, and Worlds Apart (Jars of Clay); Crazy Times (Much Afraid); a couple from If I Left the Zoo and the title track from 11th Hour. There's a beautiful live rendition of This Road (City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise). What a great worship song. I love the subtle reverb on the guitar in this tune. Worlds Apart finishes up the live disc, with a decidedly unrushed, every-lyric-clearly-enunciated pace. This version is filled with emotion like the original and closes with Jars' trademark "Hallelujah" doxology at the end of the show.

Furthermore has the same thought-provoking, inspiring songs that Jars gave us in the 90s when they were new to the music scene. They've kept true to their task of writing intelligent, poetic music that worships and glorifies Christ. I highly recommend FURTHERMORE.

Being a fan of "Jars of Clay" I eagerly awaited Furthermore. With one cd full of acoustic re-workings of classic songs such as "Love Song for a Savior," "Liquid," and "Frail," and live recordings from the boys in concert, the album already looked promising.

CD one will not disappoint any longtime Jars fans and will introduce new listners to the incredible acoustic talents of Jars of Clay. Tracks that clearly stick out include "Liquid"(which is completely done over with a catchy acoustic guitar riff), a new track entitled "The Valley Song (Sing of Your Mercy)", and "Frail". A very intimate vibe reaches and ensnares the listner during this CD.

CD Two is the guys jamming out to the best songs Jars have written. Stand-outs include "Revolution," the choir group that assists the band in "I'm Alright," and the touching "This Road." However, the greatest track on this CD and possibly the whole album is "Worlds Apart." Jars take this already powerful song to a new level that will touch many listners.

If you are familiar with Jars of Clay, purchasing Furthermore is a no-brainer. If you are not, and you want to listen to one of the greatest bands today, musically and lyrically, Furthermore is for you. Find the treasure that is in these earthen vessels...

Jars of Clay breathes a lot of new life into their songs on this disc -- a GREAT listen!

It should be noted, however, that the exquisite song Dig, which many have complimented here, is NOT their creation. It was written by the late Gene Eugene, and recorded by his band Adam Again on their album "Dig". Adam Again was one of the greatest bands Christian music has known, and though their material is now out-of-print, it's worth searching for. Kudos to Jars for including this song as a tribute to Gene.

Furthermore is both rewarding and somewhat dissapointing. I do not care for some of the remakes on some of the songs on from the studio cd. The new songs are excellent. Studio is a fairly mellow cd, but all together okay.

From the stage blew me away. From the awesome song Dissappear to the powerful and heartfelt Worlds Apart. I would buy this cd just to hear the live version of Worlds Apart. I honestly did not pay much attention to this song on their self-titled album, but the way they performed this song in its progressive form, the powerful outro, and the all around clarity of the guitar and Dan's vocals make this song stand out. The lyrics become more powerful on the live version.

If you like Jars or are thinking of buying a cd buy them, I would recommend Furthermore.