Artist: Jars of Clay
Album: The Long Fall Back to Earth
Release: April 29th, 2009
Label: Essential

Jars of Clay have had an excellent career. Too bad most people probably haven’t hung around to hear them create their most artistic and creative material. As I stated in my overview of their career even I left them for awhile, but I am more than grateful to be back. Good Monsters and The Long Fall Back to Earth are fantastic… and nothing like what you’d expect from the band that penned all those hits from the 90′s.

I’ll start this review with some honesty. I didn’t like The Long Fall Back to Earth when I first heard it. I didn’t like it the second time either. It’s just not what I expected and I’m glad they gave me the unexpected because it was only after spinning this record again and again that I began to hear the band I used to love hidden within. This record is the “indiest” Jars of Clay has ever been. I hate the word “indie” because I doesn’t mean much anymore. After hearing “Two Hands” as their lead single, I was expecting an upbeat album. While it has its moments, overall this album is much more laid back. I hesitate to mention specific tracks because it flows so well as a whole. Besides the lead singe, though I dislike the song title, “Boys (Lesson One)” stands out to me as it reminds me of Much Afraid era Jars. “Weapons” and “Don’t Stop” also stand out.

I believe that the band crafted this album as an experience. Is it their best album? No, I’m still very partial to Much Afraid. but it’s not far behind that album The more I listen, the more I find things to love. I am honestly blown away by these 4 guys and how they crafted their career. From smashing success placed at their feet after album 1, to the pressures of a follow up to the declining years where I feel they could have stagnated into making the same album again and again, to the last two albums that have broken them out of any mold they may have been put into.

I don’t like writing lengthy reviews mainly because I don’t like reading long winded reviews. So If you only read part of this review, come away with this emphasis – If you have never listened to the band or have negative connotations regarding their music, do yourself a favor and buy The Long Fall Back to Earth. And while you’re at it, pick up a used copy of Good Monsters. Neither will be what you expect.

Favorite songs: the whole album, from front to back, is how this should be enjoyed. I haven’t loved and instrumental opener as much as I love “The Long Fall” since Mae’s Everglow. I also enjoy “Two Hands” and “Boys (Lesson One)”.

RIYL: All that popular indie stuff like Death Cab and the Postal Service.

Album score: Not applicable.

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Tags: Charlie Lowell, Dan Haseltine, Matt Odmark, Stephen Mason, The Long Fall Back to Earth