5th June, 2009

JUSTIN MICHAEL

Album: The Long Fall Back To Earth

Artist: Jars of Clay

Year: 2009
Label: Essential
Web: www.jarsofclay.com
 

In A Word: Masterful

"It's beautiful, it's honest, it's hooky. It's the classic blend of song-craft."

Dan, Matt, Stephen and Charlie...we've been listening to their folk-rock with pop sensibilities for many years now and nowhere along that journey have we ever doubted their collective ability to write the poignant, the thoughtful, the religious or the simple with artistic integrity and brilliance of craft.

From the instrumental intro to the alterna-synth of Heart, here are 14 tracks that will wrap you up and woo you to listen again. The Coldplay and/or Radiohead references seem obvious, but that's just it, they're only references. There's no need for comparisons really. Jars are just Jars. Don't know anyone that sounds like them and that's what I like about them.

Heed the honesty of Two Hands - "I am a house that is divided in my heart & in my mind...if I had two hands doing the same thing: lifted high, lifted high". Unravel the lyrics of Closer - "I don't understand why we can't get close enough; I want your kite strings tangled in my trees, all wrapped up". Wrestle with Safe To Land - "Is it safe? Is it safe to land? 'Cause the long fall back to earth is the hardest part".

It's beautiful, it's honest, it's hooky. It's the classic blend of song-craft. Insightful lyrics, deceptively simple music and always singable melodies, oh and of course, they've got something to say that's worth hearing.

Fall back in front of the stereo and enjoy the ride.