I have to admit that I havent yet bought this cd, but if you have followed Jars of Clay this their conception then you dont need to. Just buy the one new single off of itunes, and call it good.
No, the reason why I am specifically evaluating this cd is because of its comprehensive arrangement of of Jars of Clay's music. So I will try to comment on the set up of the cd and its ability to draw from Jars of Clay vast array of music.
At first glance, it is a quick making of the cd. That is, it is put together by cd, progressing from their self titled cd, to Much Afraid, then to If I left the Zoo, the Eleventh hour, and finally Work. The only good part of this is that the cd starts out with the song that got Jars of Clay started, and in my mind one of their greatest up beat singles to describe our need for Jesus, Flood. With all this being said, let me break the cd into small paragraphs by cd.
Debut Album: Songs on Cd: Flood, Love Song for a Savior, Like a Child, and Worlds Apart.
This is a good combination from there first cd. They cover the best parts of the album(where they could have picked any song, as long as they got Flood and Worlds Apart, they would have been safe) but in general the first album has similar sounds throughout. Love Song for a Savior is a very solid song and the lyrics say more than most listeners will know, but oh well. Worlds Apart is still probably Jars of Clay best song, and if you have heard it live or a live recording you understand why. The only song, which unfortunatly is not on this cd, that might rival Worlds Apart is Oh My God, which has received less play time, but lyrically and musically just as powerful.
Much Afraid: Songs on CD: Crazy Times and Frail: This is a poor catching of this cd. Although these two songs are highlights off of this cd, they are not the best songs. They should have either incorporated Fade to Grey or Five Candles(you were there). Although Much Afraid was probably one of Jars of Clay worst showings, it is still a solid cd because of the fact of their ability to change their sound enough from their first cd to their second; something that would come to define Jars of Clay's sound through out their careers.
If I left the Zoo/Eleventh Hour: This is the worst combination of the Greatest Hits album. Only having one song from each(Unforgetful you and I need you respectively) they do not catch at all the highlights of each. If I left the zoo had some harder highlights like Collide, but then wit songs like unforgetful you it shows just how talented the group is. Although their are no other songs of note off this cd(that i can remember of the top of my head) I do know that this cd was another change in sound, and only having Unforgetful You on it really is disapointing. As for Eleventh Hour, there are a whole list off of this cd they could have put on this cd, yet they put their most repetitive song next to Unforgetful you to date on their album. They could have put songs that are much stronger like Disapear or Something Beautiful or even the title track. Each of which are better songs, each of which stronger displays of Jars of Clays talents.
Who We are Instead: This is probably one of the better showing, highlighting the two best songs on the album. The only other one they should have put on is Trouble Is.
They actually dont put any songs from their hymns album, which is too bad, so moving on.
Work: They missed Oh My God, but otherwise they did highlight the strongest sections and most played songs. This is expected from the Christian industry, realizing that Jars of Clay simply would have recorded the one single on the cd and approved the rest.
Overall I am a bit disapointed in the lack of showing Jars of Clay unique change through each cd. Leaving out the Hymns cd is one of the big reasons for this, but overall any listener who wants a good compilation of Jars of Clay will find what they are looking for. Unfortunatley it is another greatest hits album that ultimately isnt worth the time, simply putting out another cd for people to buy.
Yet because it does have some of Jars of Clay's best music I will give this cd on Overall of a B. But if you have Jars of Clay's cds since their first one like me, then you would be better off burning a collection of your own favorites so that you can include twice as many songs, accounting for the songs left out on this particular collaboration.
Overall: B
Recommended for anyone who is new to Jars of Clay or simply wants a good greatest hits album. Not recommended for any Devout fan.
