Much Afraid

Jars Of Clay | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 16, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Essential
• ASIN: B000000550
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (153 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,732 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #98 in Music > Christian > Rock & Alternative

Editorial Reviews

Album Notes MUCH AFRAID is an Enhanced CD containing both a full audio program as well as multimedia computer files.Jars Of Clay: Dan Haseltine (vocals, percussion); Matthew Odmark (guitar, mandolin, background vocals); Stephen Mason (guitar, bass, background vocals); Charlie Lowell (keyboards, piano, organ, background vocals).Additional personnel includes: Kate St. John (English Horn); Greg Wells (bass, drums, percussion); Neil Conti (drums).Recorded at The Aquarium, London, England; Secret Sound, Franklin, Tennessee; 16th Avenue Sound, Nashville, Tennessee.MUCH AFRAID won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.Personnel: Matt Odmark (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Stephen Mason (vocals, guitar); Charlie Lowell (vocals, piano, organ, keyboards); Dan Haseltine (vocals, percussion); Kate St. John (horns); Neil Conti, Greg Wells (drums).Audio Mixer: Heff Moraes.Recording information: 16th Avenue, Nashville, TN; Acquarium; Aquarium, London, England; Secret Sound Franklin, TN.Photographers: Martyn Gallina-Jones; Norman Jean Roy.Unknown Contributor Role: Stephenmas Marussen.Arranger: Ronn Huff.The follow-up to Jars of Clay's almost minimalist first album features a bigger sound, with a wider lyrical scope and a more solid, grownup production (by Steve Lipson, of Sting and Annie Lennox fame). These new developments give MUCH AFRAID a real sense of staying power. The Christian alternative rock group appears to have broken out of the often-narrow confines of the genre. There's a hint of psychedelia on "Overjoyed," some Bee Gees-style harmonizing on "Tea and Sympathy," and lush, '70s rock-esque arrangements throughout. Spirituality plays a more subtle role on MUCH AFRAID, but continues to be a vital theme. On songs like "Overjoyed" it is sometimes difficult to separate the personal from the divine. And that's probably just the way the band wants it.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Any Previous Skepticalities Fade To Grey Now With This, November 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Much Afraid (Audio CD)

I don't care if everyone is comparing 'Much Afraid' to the self-titled 'Jars Of Clay' from 1995. This album stands well on its own. However, as a new Jars fan, this is one of the best rock/pop albums I ever heard. I wasn't a fan when Jars Of Clay first emerged onto the Christian rock scene because I thought they were receiving too much publicity, and I thought Dan Haseltine's voice was too country-drenched. But now that I am... I'm wondering how naive I was! The reason I like this CD is because of the CD cover (everypage is a different color like someone previously mentioned), the vocals (persuasive, unique), the lyrics (I'm not big on lyrics but this one swayed me; Dan's words are thought-provoking), and the instrumentals (acoustic guitar-meets-electric guitar). They have this hard-edged rock-meets-country sound, yet they have drew me in with the techno/pop flavored "Fade To Grey." All the ones that are upbeat are great, and all the slower ones start off real slow, but gradually grow on you. The strong points of this album is my all-time favorite Jars song "Overjoyed" (quite big on melody), "Fade To Grey," "Tea & Sympathy," (a play on words- "Wonder why we tried/ For things could never be/ Play our heart's lament like an unrehearsed symphony), "Crazy Times" (arguably the most uptempo track with some serious strings), "Weighed Down" (insightful lyrics and rhythm), & "Truce" (a short, yet vigorous, dancey tune). 'Much Afraid' is a must for any Jars Of Clay or light rock fan.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding album, DEFINETLY worth listening to, April 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Much Afraid (Audio CD)

I've read some of the other reviews and, since Jars is my favorite group, I decided to enter in a review, even though not too many people will probably read it. I agree with the people who said that Jars took some risks on this album. They followed up a triple-platinum album with one that is COMPLETELY different. At first listen, I didn't like it so much, and was dissapointed. But after further listening it became my favorite album of all-time. Although the lyrics are hard at times to understand, the same message that brought them to popularity still remains in this cd. Personally, songs like "Frail" and "Portrait of an Apology" have gotten me through alot. There are many out there who will say D.C. Talk is the best, or perhaps the Newsboys. I enjoy both as well, but they both lack the instrumental beauty that the four Jars-boys bring. Anyone, from any culture who has a love of music can sit back and enjoy an earfull of the amazing guitars, keyboards, drums, vocals and, if you listen, an accordian. If you want an album that brings beauty and a message, buy this cd. You won't be dissapointed.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jars puts out a wonderful follow-up., February 23, 2000

By 

Eric Frederickson (Fox Lake, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Much Afraid (Audio CD)

After a stunning debut, Jars of Clay's sophomore CD goes somewhat of a different route, opting for more overdubbed tracks, and less of the drum machine. The result is an album that is better in my opinion. Many sonic textures exist, ranging from the orchestration in the sober "Frail", to the harder edges of first single "Crazy Times". In between, a variety of high points shine, including a folk-ish gem, ("Hymn"), pure pop songs, ("Five Candles", "Tea and Sympathy"), and subdued ballads, (the title track, "Portrait of an Apology"). The lavish outro harmonies of "Tea and Sympathy" turn a typical pop tune into something very pleasant to listen to. The thoughtful, slight-dance rhythm of "Truce" is quite intriguing, and the seemingly rhetorical "Weighed Down" recalls the first album's hidden song. At first glance, the album seems to lack musical coherence, but the quality of each song helps unite them all together, despite some noticeable experimentation. "Much Afraid" takes the band's talents, as evidenced in the first record, and adds many layers of musical color, creating a brilliant collection of songs.