SteelerDirtFreak :: 21st Century Missional Redneck Geek

Back from a long and unintentional hiatus, we bring you the Music Review of the Week, courtesy of Music Spectrum.

As Agape facetiously raps, “Used to like Jars,/Too bad they’re not going to heaven anymore cuz they be playing at the bars” on “Art Imitate Life” (Many Rooms), some Christians haven’t known what to do with Jars of Clay and other bands who profess their faith in venues, styles, and crowds that are not necessarily Christian. Agape rejects such a narrow understanding of how to be a Christian artist, and I’d say Jars of Clay does more for redeeming rock ‘n’ roll, clubs, and their crowds when they speak the redeeming Gospel in those places than if they shunned such places and only offered redemption to those who made it inside the Christian compound.

Released [in March], Jars of Clay’s new collection of songs now does another redemption trick that some in the Christian world will also reject. Redemption Songs is a “save the hymnals!” project, as the liner notes proclaim, taking traditional hymns and spirituals, reflecting their words and melodies albeit through Jars’ arrangements and touch. Yet, the language is preserved—thee, thou, plenteous, and resound. The multiple verses are still here—even when adding a refrain. These are hymns and not praise choruses typical of modern worship.

Jars of Clay may be questioned for their use of the old language. They may be told that those hymns are just too wordy. Yet, as they passionately write in the liner notes, the hope is to see a “rich grace that soaks these songs…boldly and eloquently mak[ing new] that which has become old to us.”

“God Be Merciful to Me (Psalm 51)”—an early 20th century pslater—and “Jesus, I Lift My Eyes”—an 18th century hymn—are given a rock song structure but immersed with traditional feel through mandolin and pedal steel guitar. “God Will Lift Up Your Head” charges with anthemic rock proportions although the words themselves are originally Paul Gerhardt’s (1607-1676) translated by John Wesley (1703-1791). “It is Well With My Soul” actually breaks into a dance-club rock beat, which fully brings this 19th century tune forward without losing the impact of the original intent.

With “I’ll Fly Away” (featuring Sarah Kelly), and “Nothing But the Blood” and “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand” (both featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama), the listener/worshipper is reconnected with more than traditional hymns. Here Jars taps into bluegrass, Appalachia, and Gospel/blues which have either been relegated to a specialized section in Contemporary Christian Music or have been so diluted as to make it simply bland pop. Applaud Jars of Clay on this project to hail such rich music used for the sake of the Gospel. (However, you have to wonder about the choice of Sarah Kelly for a song that cries out for a New Bluegrass voice like Mindy Smith).

This project highlights exactly what I want our congregation to understand. If we bypass the hymnody of the past, we lose these song-poems which teach so much in 3-4 stanzas. Yet, we need not be limited in the form and style in which our melodies are raised. Change the instrumentation or structure, but keep the deep riches of the teachings. This is what Jars of Clay has done here.

Of course, if there’s going to be a continued second-guessing of Jars of Clay’s methods and mission, those that question will hopefully not notice in the album title the obvious reference to Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song.” Marley’s music emboies the heart-cry for redemption, freedom, and peace found only in Christ. Whereas Marley and other Rastafarians mix other teachings with pure Gospel, Jars of Clay is hereby redeeming the reference, both acknowledging Marley’s importance musically while realigning the message with Scripture.

(In case you’re worrying that I just gave the Pharisaical crowd ammunition by pointing out the reference, I doubt they’re reading this site anymore. My willingness to select, review, and give accolades to a wide range of music may have driven them back to their enclave. Yet, the drums are pounding on Redemption Songs, bringing the Gospel out to the people of the world).

Posted on April 20th, 2005 by Paul
Filed under: Music