If I Left the Zoo

Jars Of Clay

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 1999)
• Original Release Date: November 9, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Essential
• ASIN: B00002EPKW
• In-Print Editions: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (196 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,288 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Jars of Clay admirably stretched the boundaries of Christian pop music when their self-titled debut scaled the charts in 1995. Two releases later, the group's peculiar yet appealing brand of alt-acoustic-Christpop remains a study in irony: relatively simple on the outside, brooding and introspective on the inside. If I Left the Zoo returns to form with a renewed focus on songwriting; the disc is a stripped-down and more organic effort than the richly layered but equally rewarding Much Afraid (1997). The opening song "Goodbye, Goodnight," with its lighthearted accordion and mandolin, quickly sets the tone. While the tune itself is a sprightly sing-along, lyrically the Jars hit you with end-of-the-millennium social commentary ("Raise a glass for ignorance / drink a toast to fear / The beginning of the end has come / that's why we all are here"). The oddly attractive "Unforgetful You," the bittersweet "Famous Last Words," and the melodic rocker "Can't Erase It" are sure-fire radio hits. While the playful, digestible quality of the band's music is undeniable, they've become equally effective as songwriters for a generation. --Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A valiant effort ... I'll give them that, December 16, 1999

By A Customer

Okay, let me get this off my chest first: I really miss the style Jars of Clay presented on their self-titled debut in 1996. Their unique brand of acoustic guitar and vocal harmony driven alternative rock combined with spiritual, uplifting, poetic lyrics were the reason I fell in love with the Jars in the first place. Unfortunately, their second album wasn't anything like the first (nor nearly as good), and their latest, If I Left The Zoo, is also totally different from the original formula that sold me on the Jars in the first place.

Now, having said that, does this mean that "Zoo" is a bad album? No. Although it is nothing like the original, it is still a very unique and creative album. You can tell that they took a lot of chances on this album and really allowed themselves to experiment with different sounds. Each song is unique in its own way and doesn't sound like every other song on the CD. The musicians play with much more confidence and attitude. Dan Haseltine's voice has never sounded better.

Lyrically, the Jars still know how to deliver a timeless, powerful message in creative and subtle ways. Some of the songs pose tough questions with no easy answers, as is often the case with life, but does not abandon hope. If you're one of those Christian music purists who thinks Christian music has to be direct, simple, have "Jesus" appear in every other line, and use the same old "Jesus is the way" cliche's, then don't buy this album. You'd be much happier with the latest Audio Adrenaline or Rebecca St. James albums. But if you want an album that gives a realistic view of life and how faith plays a role in it, this album is for you. Standout tracks on this CD include "Goodbye, Goodnight", "I'm Alright", "Collide", and "River Constantine."

Although the original Jars album will always be my favorite, I can't really say I'm disappointed with this CD. They've done a pretty good job.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great album, maybe their best!, November 24, 1999

By	"delirious99" (USA) - See all my reviews

This is a great album. It is one of the best Christian albums that has come out for awhile, period. It has several great potential radio singles, including Unforgetful You, Collide, Famous Last Words, and Can't Erase It. It also has some great slower songs, with good deep lyrics. For fans who think that their first album was their best, there is a song on If I Left the Zoo called River Constantine, which is like a mix of Blind (from their first album) and Frail (from Much Afraid. But it is new and different at the same time. Some of the songs seem odd, because of some of the new sounds that they use on this album, such as on the songs, Goodbye, Goodnight, Unforgetful You, Sad Clown, and I'm Alright. But as surprising as they are at first, once you hear them a few times, you'll probably love them. I did. A great buy, definitely worth the money. They had more fun with this one than they did with Much Afraid. It is lighter, and more laid back. It is also happier. They have Counting Crows drummer playing on the entire album, and Dennis Herring (Counting Crows, Innocence Mission) producing. He pushed them to experiment with new sounds, to go greater strides, and go out of their comfort zones (I'm not making this up), and the results are very good. A true Jars fan shouldn't be disappointed by this excellent album.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars whatever!, January 26, 2000

By	Jenny (Washington) - See all my reviews

I've been reading the reviews for this CD, and I'm amazed at what some people are saying.. This is JARS OF CLAY we're talking here--their songs are all about God, NOT human love. Even if these songs are mainstream hits, they retain their Christianity, and Jars of Clay are by no means sellouts. That said, I'm really proud of these guys for stepping out of their mold. They easily could have stayed in their very comfortable and highly popular debut sound, but they chose to grow, and I applaud their efforts. I love how much fun they had with this album.. My favorite song is "Unforgetful You," which illustrates the JOC fun side, but the album is full of awesome songs. The lyrics run deep, the music is diverse and impressing, and all in all, this album is unmistakably Jars of Clay. I loved the first few singles, then was confused (overwhelmed, perhaps), when I heard the entire album, with the slower, introspective songs for the first time. The more I listen to it, however, the more I love it. This CD is totally worth the money!