CCM Magazine did a cover article on it for March. And now cMusicMail does
it. I guess it really is a trend then. Within the last month, including
today, three acclaimed Christian artists have released albums that are
exclusively hymns re-recorded in the artists more contemporary style. Ashley
Cleveland, Jars of Clay, and Out of Eden are all following this trend, and
we have to say we enjoy it. There are many great old musical works of the
church that are thrown out in favor of the latest modern worship hits. But
the hymns defy the world of pop music, being around for hundreds or even
thousands of years. Enjoy this week's review and come to cMusicWeb.com to
see what we think about this year's GMA Music Awards.

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REDEMPTION SONGS - JARS OF CLAY (2005)
by Kim Flanders

"Save the hymnals." When my eyes scrolled across those three words on the CD
jacket of the latest Jars of Clay CD, they stopped. I read those words with
joy. I agree.

My journey to Redemption Songs started about a year ago when I spoke with
the Jars boys in Nashville. When I heard that they were working on a new
project with a focus on hymns, I could not wait to hear the results. About a
month later, I had the privilege of hearing a sampling of hymns played by
Jars of Clay at an old church in Philadelphia as part of a One Campaign
rally.

So when the CD came across my path, I eagerly opened it, placing it in the
nearest player. Jars of Clay bridges the lyrics of older hymns and newer
songs with modern arrangements that bring to life what at my church would
sound like a funeral dirge. The familiar folk-based sound of Jars adapts
well with the updated arrangements. And the accent of such instruments as
cello, fiddle, and banjo added to the normal guitars and drums carry the
songs to an even higher level.

Not only have they introduced an array of instruments to enhance the songs,
but also a variety of vocals. Sarah Kelly imparts her strong voice to the
bluesy sounding "I'll Fly Away" in a way I have never heard her before.
Martin Smith of Delirious? accompanies Dan Haseltine's voice on the
sometimes U2-esque sounding "Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder." But my
favorite boost to the Jars vocals is The Blind Boys of Alabama on the jazzed
up "Nothing But the Blood" and the spiritual rendition of "On Jordan's
Stormy Banks I Stand."

"It is Well With My Soul," however, has quickly become my repeat song for
this project. I must have listened to it today five times in a row in the
car on my way to a meeting. If Horatio Spafford could time travel into the
year 2005 to hear the contemporary arrangement of the song that he wrote the
lyrics, he would no doubt be-bop to the funk based arrangement.

The songs chosen for this project fit well with the theme of Redemption
Songs. Some titles may be more familiar to you, some less. But the lyrics
from many hymns are timeless, and should be incorporated more into church
services. Jars of Clay had the right idea to bring hymns in the forefront.

Let's go back to the liner notes to nail down my point. "These are songs
that carve out what we hope is a new tradition of church music. It is our
sincere hope that in reaching back and listening to the words of these hymn
writers we might find a renewed and refreshed perspective on who we are as a
church today, where we have been going all along, and who we might be in the
future."

In other words, save the hymnals.

Read more about Jars of Clay at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/jarsofclay


MORE NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

Review: Dichotomy B - GRITS
http://cMusicWeb.com/hiphop/grits/dichotomyb.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, MARCH 29 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

THE ABBEY ROAD SESSIONS/THE WALK - STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN
DVD is the new "it" thing, so of course everything that was once on VHS has
to be transferred to digital video. This release is the documentary The
Walk, which was released simultaneously with Steven's Greatest Hits Vol. 1
album. Expect a couple bonus features on the DVD, plus enjoy The Abbey Road
Sessions EP! Tracks such as "The Walk" and "Lord of the Dance" were
re-recorded for the Greatest Hits album, and this disc features a couple
more favorites re-recorded at the famous London studio.

BEAUTY FROM PAIN - SUPERCHICK
The mastermind of Superchick, Max Hsu, says it is undoubtedly the best work
the band has ever done. He also claims they've fixed the problems of being
only geared toward teens or tweens. However, even after listening to this
disc a number of times, I fail to see these changes and instead see
Superchick getting poppier than ever.

THE EVERGLOW - MAE
Mae took the world by storm with their debut, destination:beautiful. This
pop/rock band is back with their second album, The Everglow. Expect even
better instrumentation, some great new songs, and some great album artwork.

HYMNS - OUT OF EDEN
Out of Eden are best known for their upbeat R&B/pop songs, but this time
they take a much different sound. These three sisters mainly stick to simple
guitar-and-drums backgrounds for most of these hymns, leaving out almost any
hint of programming or heavy beats. But the resurrection of the hymns are
beautiful, from "Be Still My Soul" to "Praise to the Lord the Almighty,"
which includes great harmonies from Tree63's John Ellis.

IN MEMORIAM - LIVING SACRIFICE
Living Sacrifice disbanded in 2001 and members of the band went on to join
bands such as Evanescence and P.O.D. But before that this band was the
original innovators of Christian metal in the 90s. In Memoriam delivers
their best of their long history on one disc.

STEREO: THE EVOLUTION OF HIPROCKSOUL - 4TH AVENUE JONES'
Since 1999 the 4th Avenue Jones' have been stuck in the independent circuits
and label limbo. However, the group finally gets their first major-label
backed release today, and it's definitely a unique one. While fans know them
as a rap group with great instrumentals, this live band and hip-hop group is
comin' at ya with a totally new sound. It has taken me a couple listens to
get into the feel of it, but Stereo is definitely the PICK OF THE WEEK. They
have created a unique brand of hip-hop, rock, and soul, which they call
hiprocksoul, that has to be heard to comprehend.

TAKE MY LIFE - SCOTT UNDERWOOD
The latest installment of the Vineyard Voices series, this disc takes some
of worship leader/writer Scott Underwood's most loved songs, such as the
title track, "You Are God" and "You Are In Control." All are recorded in a
studio setting and includes a new track written by Underwood.

X2005 - VARIOUS ARTISTS
The third installment of the yearly rock compilation delivers 17 tracks,
some of the best of the year and a couple random tracks thrown in for good
measure. With this disc you can sample music from Switchfoot, TobyMac,
Relient K, John Reuben, Skillet, and Underoath.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
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- R&B the LPG way
- And more!

View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


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http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
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