Redemption Songs
It would be easy to pass off this latest Jars of Clay release as a marketing gimmick, especially as more and more Christian artists are turning to casting age-old hymns in their own creative image. Has the modern praise-and-worship songwriting well run dry or are artists truly looking back over time to gain that "renewed and refreshed perspective" as Jars describes this effort in the liner notes forRedemption Songs? The thoughtful listener will quickly discover that the latter is true. Jars of Clay's acoustic, organic sound is an ideal approach to presenting "very old words set to almost completely modern music" as never once does the music overshadow the power of the words. The band captures the essence of hope and joy in tracks "God Will Lift Up Your Head," "It Is Well With My Soul," and the rousing "Nothing But the Blood," aided by the great Blind Boys of Alabama. On the other side of the emotional spectrum, the needful ache of man seeking God is well captured with melancholic "I Need Thee Every Hour" and "Hiding Place."  Other special guest appearances by Sarah Kelly on "I'll Fly Away" and Delirious' Martin Smith on "Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder" all fit well within the reverential mood of this marvelous release. If this record doesn't renew and refresh you, it may be time to check your pulse.--Michael Lyttle