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.

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.

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.