FamilyFans Music

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GOOD MONSTERS

Jars of Clay / Essential Records

Fan Appeal: Teens to Adults

Genre: Alternative Pop/Rock

I’m entertained by reading how all the reviewers attempt to categorize Jars of Clay’s new project. Some say this highly anticipated release goes in a completely new direction. Others call it a return to one of their previous roots. Some call is a risky endeavor and others claim it’s the best effort by the band thus far.

Well, I don’t know about all that, but I do know I like this project very much.

What can you say about a band who, for the past twelve years has been turning out interesting, edgy music that consistently provides listeners with catchy songs with challenging messages? Jars is one of the few bands who have enjoyed significant success, both in CCM and in the mainstream markets. I don’t notice anything particularly earth-shattering in their new release, Good Monsters. But, what I do notice is another collection of songs that are both fun to listen to and relevant to my personal life. That’s what continues to bring this band success.

One other thing I noticed as I listened to this project over and over is that it has a somewhat darker theme than usual…starting with the cover art. The guys look as though they’ve been rolling in motor oil and on the front they appear as a four-headed monster with their very interesting innards showing, which consists of things like an old table and turned-over chair, some leftover food, and various parts and gears and wires strewn about. Lyrically, there is a kind of emotional crying out to God in most of the tunes on this CD.

Lead-singer Dan Haseltine confirms with this explanation: “I was not sure how all of the experiences of the last few years would translate into music. There have been so many things to look at and describe. This record is part confessional, part euphoric love poem, part bitter separation, and part benediction. It was born out of many experiences and conversations between addicts, failures, lovers, loners, believers, and beggars. And so the language of recovery and the honest discourse about our attempts to live apart from God and apart from each other is a theme.”

Okay, let’s be honest. Do I get the whole “good monsters” thing? I think it’s a great hook with great marketing potential and they really play it up on their secondary website, www.good-monsters.com. There you can see strange video shorts of the band in various situations with multi-colored “monster-suited” people running around. It’s all very entertaining and edgy. It’s a collection of the kind of things that make people tell their friends to check it out and, for a while, cause quite a buzz. But, do I really get it? I think I understand what they’re saying. I mean, I could quote Scripture that I think is on-topic like “our best is as filthy rags” and I know we sometimes act like monsters. The “good” part could be as a result of God in us. I’ve read the lyrics over carefully to see if I’m even close, but to be blunt – it’s too much work. I don’t like to work that hard so I quit trying to understand it completely and just enjoyed the music.

As far as the music goes, what’s not to love? Since their debut release back on October of 1995, they have been giving us new music that continues to appeal to the masses. Their fresh, gritty sound and the unique vocal sound of Dan Haseltine resume their award-winning formula on Good Monsters. For example, “Work,” is a driving rock groove with the dead-honest lyrical line, “Do you know what I mean when I say, ‘I don’t want to be alone’?” “Dead Man (Carry Me)” is also a great song that reminds me of something from the 80s with a kind of David Bowie sound.

“There is a River” is a song that reminds me of Jars’ Redemption Songs project, and I like it because I don’t have to think so hard to find the message: “There is a river that washes you clean / There is a tree that marks the places you’ve been / Blood that was spilled although not your own / For all these things love will atone.”

The tune “Mirrors and Smoke” reminds me of last year’s Johnny Cash craze in the CCM circles, and it’s always a pleasure to hear the strong vocals of guest-artist Leigh Nash in this duet.

Without a doubt, my favorite moment on this project is the song “Oh My God.” It’s a moving song with two distinct parts. Dan starts out this tune with a smooth folksy, falsetto voice, crying out to God. Then, the song starts a slow crescendo building in intensity with lyrical groanings about deep inner thoughts concerning our conflicting relationships with God and this world. It ends all too suddenly if you ask me. But, what a powerful song.

FAMILYFANS RATING:A-

--Eric Jaqua

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