After the Self Titled album from Jars of Clay, fans expected them to reproduce their first album each time a new one emerged. They never have. Though Much Afraid, in my opinion, is probably their best work. Fans were disappointed, not with the band or even the music; perhaps we all wanted another original. But even then, the album grew into a new definition of Jars of Clay. Then when the third album released (If I Left The Zoo) fans were shattered once more. Again not receiving what they thought they would, but somehow reluctantly we grew into it. And now...Unforgetful You still cant craw it's way out of the theatres and always finds itself back into those "chick" movies.
I guess us Jars fans have learned from the past not to expect what we got last time. And yet...we wondered, "WHAT ARE WE GOING TO GET!?" and to some, The Eleventh Hour was a disappointment, to others...it was the best thing yet. For me? well, I guess I'm impressed with the over all album.
Normally, the song that describes the rest of the album is what begins it. But with The Eleventh Hour...that is not the case. The Eleventh Hour starts off in a slow, U2-ish manner. But then ends back into the classic Jars sound.
Tricking you into believing the album has a light rock appeal to it. The album begins with Disappear. Claiming, "It’s not safe but I’m so near. Invading every place you go to disappear." Shows one person's struggle to get through to someone he tries to love. But the other person is almost afraid to let anyone into their life. It’s a picture of how we are to God. And how God tries to get through to us...but we reject his love and hide from ourselves. The music and tempo in this song is definitely into the U2 mood. I know allot of these reviews describe it like that. But listen to the song...and you'll hear what I'm talking about.
The next song is almost in the same manner, but allot slower. With lyrics like, "Close my eyes and hold my heart. Cover me and make me something. Change this something normal into something beautiful." this song is probably going to be "the hit that never was" So far...every album from jars have had that song...the song everyone liked...but no radio station would play (Sinking, Tea & Sympathy, Goodbye Goodnight…ect.) .Like the previous track, this song sure does give jars of clay a new music genre. The song builds up from the acoustic melodies to, again, the light rock. This song isn't acoustic rock though...I guess it's a 50/50, half rock...half acoustic.
After the first two songs tell you the album is Pop, or light rock, Revolution brings you to a whole new world. With it's catchy, almost Unforgetful You feel to it, you practically think your listening to a new Zoo song. This song will for sure be a hit. Zoo fans will not be disappointed with this one! As said before in another review...lyrically, this song doesn’t say anything the 60's didn’t. But it sure does have a millennium sound!
If Jars were to release Fly Farther on Much Afraid...it would’ve had the same affect as Fly does on The Eleventh hour. As compared with Flay farther, Fly has similar lyrics.... Lyrics from Fly Farther include " ...We'll fly farther into the night where the eyes of loneliness will never bother..." And lyrics from Fly include " I’ll fly with you through the night so you know I’m not letting go. I’m not letting go. " But this song has a much deeper meaning. Written for a married couple Jars knew well, this song talks about the love and loss a Man has for his wife when fighting a losing fight for cancer. This song is sure to be a mainstream success, while sadly; the eyes of the Christian world probably wont see the beauty.
After the ballad comes something we Jars fans have just waited and waited for. We finally have something similar to the S/T album. I Need You is lyrically like Love Song For A Savior and musically like a more "pop centered" Blind. Giving you that "I remember when I first heard...." feel to it. Although it mimics that of S/T, it also shows me my favorite album, Much Afraid, with its echoing voices and hidden harmonies, this song is sure to stay on radio for a while.
Some consider this to be the moving song of the album...but like Blind, this song is musically not attractive, Very repetitive yet strangely soothing. This song shouldn't become any radio hit, but I expect some good remixes from it! Almost giving me a "6th Grade" classroom feel to it with lyrics like "I got a question" are both moving and somehow just skimming the surface.
Some how when I first heard Scarlet, my impression was "YUCK!" but slowly...its become one of my favorite! With a ghastly intro that reminds me of the haunted house in Disney World, this song takes wonderful form and is sure to be a "late hit". I don't expect to hear this song on radio `till probably 2 years AFTER the album has been released. But I DO, however expect this song to be in a movie or two sometime soon.
"YOU'VE NEVER HEARD THIS BEFORE, NOT FROM JARS!" I thought, the first time I heard this song. What Ever She Wants crosses all lines in Christian music. Not afraid to confront such a subject as this, Jars of clay boldly and freely delivers this song, my guess, as a picture of how letting the wrong "someone" into your life will suck you dry. Musically... this song is great. If you like this song listen to Michelle Branch's "Everywhere". And lyrically it's "the most confrontational song from us yet" Says Dan in a recent interview. This song is the most electrified song from jars ever, with very little acoustic influence.
"Trace the shape of my heart, till it becomes more familiar to your eyes." Opens the title track, The Eleventh Hour. The first line reflects a desire to know God more, while doubting how well he truly knows us. This song speaks of the time before death. My interpretation is this song is look at the moment before death, and even deeper is the time when we can die to ourselves and let God take over and examine us, and show us how much he DOES know us.
Every Jars album has its own "Worlds Apart" Much Afraid produced Much Afraid, and ZOO Came with River Constantine and with The Eleventh Hour...These Ordinary Days...in my opinion, this is the "Worlds Apart" of the album. This song gives the same emotion, and the same love fore Christ, and wanting to find God so he can mold us. This song musically, is raw...yet beautiful. Dan’s voice cracks while you hear the fingers on the guitar accidentally mute the strings. But, perhaps that’s what makes this song so direct and wonderful. This song pierces me much stronger than Silence. This song has a special place with me.
The last song filled with banjo, is very unique. The Edge Of The Water somehow fusing blue grass with rock is a great song just to sit down and relax to. This is the first song I heard while listening to the album and for some reason I love it to death! This should be the "Love Song For A Savior" of the album...not musically, or lyrically. But Christian radio should have this one for a while! This song is for sure the song that some people love...and some people won't...but like it or not...this song should be a HIT!
Over all, The Eleventh Hour is Acoustic, Pop/Rock filled with emotion, not to mention fun. Whether your driving down the road, Just taking a deep breath, or are shopping down the isle of a supermarket. When you here this album you will know it's The Eleventh Hour, and try to stick around to hear the next song. I give it 3 thumbs up! (the extra thumb is because I was born with a defect)
