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The Long Fall Back to Earth

Jars of Clay - The Long Fall Back to Earth Audio CD

A fair review of the Jars of Clay "The Long Fall Back to Earth" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Jars of Clay reviews here, or go back to the Jars of Clay tabs.

Band: Jars of Clay
Title: The Long Fall Back to Earth
Rating:

Release Date: 2009-04-21
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Long Fall 2: Weapons 3: Two Hands 4: Heaven 5: Closer 6: Safe to Land 7: Headphones 8: Don't Stop 9: Boys (Lesson One) 10: Hero 11: Scenic Route 12: There Might Be a Light 13: Forgive Me 14: Heart

A complex and thoughtful celebration of relationships.
Other than they I hadn't heard much of anything about this band and even as my dad played their "From the Studio to the Stage". I came across Jars of Clay in a very bizarre fashion, in 2003, I had never really heard anything by jars of Clay besides "Un-forgetful You" from "If I Left the Zoo" because it was on the "You Drive Me Crazy" Soundtrack that my best friend owned. I never really thought much of it until he invited me to come to their concert which he was photographing. When there my father said he was going to try to get an interview with them so he needed to talk to them prior to the concert to make arrangements, and thought I might be able to come with him backstage.

I got back stage alright and got in a very awkward conversation with Matt Odmark and Chad Lowell while my dad talked to Dan Hasteline. My conversation went something like this "I'm never heard any of your music before. . . " Matt responded pointing to my carebear shirt "Oh, well we've recorded music for care bear movies. " I'm like "Really?" and he insisted yes. . . Although I know that's not true, I guess he was just trying to figure at what the hell to say to a girl who is backstage with you telling you you don't know who you are. Its funny looking back on indeed. Needless to say, their show was, to this day, the best concert I have been to, even better than when I saw them in 2008, it introduced to me in to the world of Jars of Clay and left me kicking my butt for being such an idiot, this band was amazing!!!!

I have all of their albums and have listened to all of them multiple times, with my favorite so far, still "Good Monsters"; This could change, as I have found, that all of Jars of Clay's albums get better and more listenable the more you listen to them. Just a note, one reviewer on here said this was a pop record, I would wouldn't cite any of Jars albums as a straight-up pop record, and this certainly is not either, unless it was in the same way artist like Peter Gabriel are Pop, it is much more an alternative album much like Tears for Fears and Depeche Mode.

Where to start with "The Long Fall Back to earth. " Well, the lead-off single "Two Hands" on one hand is misleading, and on the other hand giving a glimpse in to what the album will hold. The song is a low-key mid-tempo joyful song with the typical Jars relational dichotomies and follows a normal song structure for Jars, but has an underlying synth which I think is a hint to what the album holds. I felt jipped with the single at first, but then realized that there was so much more to the upon repeated listens.

As for the rest of the album, other than "Two Hands" I found little to enjoy for the first few listens, but as I got used to the new progression (not direction) of their music, I found there was much to enjoy in the album and more enjoyment with each listen. Songs such as "Lesson One", "Heaven", "Weapons", "Closer", "Don't Stop" some of the best examples of the blend of traditional alternative with elements of synth, which again is very similar to bands like Depeche Mode and Tears for fears. "Closer is a personal favorite of mine which was originally from the "Closer EP", it is a beautiful tribute to relational intimacy and I would say best represents the albums stylistic ambitions. While other songs are more traditionally instrumented such as "Scenic Route" and "There Might be a Light" show that Jars hasn't abandoned their old sound, but are rather expanding upon it, much like they did in "If I Left the Zoo", "Who We Are Instead", and "Good Monsters".

For me, the only real track that feels out of place is "Hero", its not a bad song, and I tried really hard to like it, but it just misfires and goes a little overboard on its instrumentation and almost drowns out the vocals. I think, this is one song that would benefit from an acoustic rendering because the song itself is full of melody, it just feels buried and slightly labored compared to the tracks that have come before it, but it does include one of my favorite moments on the album, which is when Dan Hasteline sings thew word "Hero", you'll see what I mean.

Overall however, this album is more cohesive in its sound then "Good Monsters" and wins extra points for that. It is a strong effort and proves that after 16yrs as a band, Jars of Clay is one of the few bands who are experimenting and expanding their sound without junking who they are or sounding like blithering idiots or coming off stale like bands such as U2 did after "Achtung Baby". Some might be taken about by the seemingly shift in sound, but Jars just proved that they are band that can be identified, but not always clearly defined.

God Bless ~Amy.

Good
Anyway, The Long Fall Back to Earth is a pretty good album with some good tracks My favorite songs are Hero, To Hands, and Don't Stop. When I got this Album I was hoping for a CD more like Good Monsters and found that it was not exactly what I had expected. I am sure that if you liked the Good Monsters album you would like Long Fall Back to Earth just as well.

The thrill is gone...
They are one of my all-time favorite bands. I have been a fan of Jars of Clay since the release of the debut album. I have anxiously awaited every new release -- and have loved most. I have seen the band several times in concert -- have even met the guys backstage. My favorite CDs are the debut album, IILTZ, Who We Are Instead, Redemption Songs, and Good Monsters.

Unfortunately, this new CD does very little for me. I can't quite put my finger on it. I can honestly say that if I never heard this CD again, I wouldn't feel like I was missing anything. I wouldn't say that about another Jars of Clay CD.

First, I'm not sure that Jars of Clay is always making musical choices that are in the best interest of the song. Often, they seem to be making production choices with the aim of being diffent or running against the grain. Variety is a nice thing -- but what exactly is the band's style these days? This album sorely lacks anything resemling a coherent "feel".

Dan Haseltine used to be a poet who wrote song lyrics. On this album, he just writes song lyrics. There a depth missing that used to pervade the songs. "If I two hands doing the same thing. Lifted high"? What? These are lyrics to suit a pop artifice. "Take my world apart - broken on my knees" - this is not.

Worst of all -- the album is rather boring. Jars of Clay used to produce songs that made me weep and smile -- songs that brought me closer to God. There is something missing from these songs -- inspiration? Whatever it is, this is album is a disappointment.

.

A new direction, and their best CD yet
They are quite adept at writing about Christian themes without having to work in the words "God" or "Jesus" into every song, even though most are clearly Christian-based. Jars of Clay has excelled in creating tuneful Christian pop/rock with great lyrics for years. This time around, they've taken their laid back sound and polished it up quite a bit, with slicker prodcution including increased use of studio wizardry and synthesizers. The new sound may put off long diehard JOC fans, but I have to say this is far and away my favorite album of theirs. I've seen some stores put this in the rock section, and although some of the lyrics seem a little less God-based at first, the overall themes of faith, trust, relationships with God and one another are found throughout. "Two Hands", in particular, is a great illustration of the spiritual war going on inside of each one of us, and how it would be great if we could raise both hands to God, instead of trying to pull close to him with one arm while pushing him away with the other. Great metaphor, and just one of many great songs on this hook-laden, very listenable album.

Just makes top half of Jars Collection; still an excellent album.
First, my top 4 Jars albums:

1. I do not like to publicly critique music albums, but Jars of Clay has been one of my favorite bands for many years, so I thought I would at least throw out a few comments. Who We Are Instead
2. Jars of Clay
3. Good Monsters
4. The Long Fall Back To Earth

"The Long Fall Back To Earth" is the band's most diverse sound yet, and the furthest from their original sound (I would say each of their albums has progressively gotten further from that sound).

"Two Hands" is one of the best songs on the album and is probably the closest to that Jars sound I am used to. In contrast "Heaven" sounds almost like another artist made a guest appearance; it has a techno/rock/pop/dance style that brings to mind The Killers. Somewhere in the middle (whatever that means) is the song "Headphones". Give this song a couple of listens. My first reaction was almost laughter at the seemingly fluffy theme. After enjoying a few more serious listens, I found that I was way off, and that the song actually touches on some significant issues in a new way. If my favorite song isn't "Two Hands", then it is probably "Safe to Land"; a fairly mellow tune with a catchy acoustic guitar. Their next movie soundtrack hit will most likely be "Hero" if it is not already. "Don't Stop" is a cool sounding song (again with that poppy/dance beat) with a female vocal part that is very subtle and short, yet captivating. I have only listened to the last three or four songs enough to know that I don't think I am missing much, but you never know - "Forgive Me" is pretty good anyway.

The album contains only one direct mention of God or Jesus, and, for me, that is disappointing. The overall message of the album is still basically redeeming, definitely honest, and most certainly clean, though it's main focus is on earthly relationships.

Thank you, Jars of Clay, for what will be many more enjoyable hours of experiencing your music.

You can see a complete list of all Jars of Clay discography, or go back to the Jars of Clay tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.