Jars Of Clay Eleventh Hour CD

THE ELEVENTH HOUR won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.

Jars of Clay made their name as a Christian rock band, but even from the start that created all sorts of incorrect assumptions about the group. With THE ELEVENTH HOUR, they almost completely cast off that mantle, calling for a general reassessment of the band by those who lumped them in with the "God squad." At this point, they're no more overtly spiritual than Creed. Beyond one song referencing a need to pray, this is very secular fare.

That's not to say that JOC have suddenly transformed into party animals singing about sex, drugs and rock & roll. They're still thoughtful young men who wrap their introspection in plangent electric and acoustic guitars and accessible pop-rock choruses. "Revolution," for example, examines the need for self-confidence over a raucous, somewhat Smash Mouth-like arrangement, while other songs move through folk-rock, Americana, and driving modern rock. Jars of Clay expand their scope on THE ELEVENTH HOUR without sacrificing any of their drive.

Recorded at Sputnik Sound, Franklin, Tennessee, The Playground, Nashville, Tennesse and FrontPage Studios, Hollywood, California.

Personnel: Tab Laven (banjo); John Catchings (cello); Joe Porter, Shaun McWilliams (drums).

Audio Mixer: Jack Joseph Puig.

Recording information: FrontPage Studios, Hollywood, CA; Sputnik Sound, Franklin, TN; The Playground, Nashville, TN.

Photographers: Kristin Barlowe; Jars of Clay.

Jars Of Clay: Dan Haseltine, Stephen Mason, Charlie Lowell, Matt Odmark.

Additional personnel: Flemming Painter (vocals); Tab Laven (banjo); John Catchings (cello); Chris Donahue, Aaron Sands (bass); Shawn McWilliams, Joe Porter (drums).

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