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45 of 48 people found the following review helpful: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, April 27, 2005 By  Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews       For their latest release, Jars of Clay decided to take some hymns and give them the Jars treatment. They included some well known and some obscure songs. The result is wonderful. The well known and loved hymns included are not the most recorded, with the exception of "It is Well with My Soul." Also included are almost country versions of "Nothing but the Blood" and "I'll Fly Away" and a light rock version of "I Need Thee Every Hour." The CD closes with the classic "They'll Know We are Christians by Our Love." The rest of the tracks on this CD are made up of old songs that have been forgotten by the modern church. I'm glad of the reminder because they are great songs. "Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder" is another great hymn by John Newton. The refrain from "God Will Lift Up Your Head" will get stuck in your head very easily. "God Be Merciful to Me" is a great song of repentance. "Hiding Place" finds the singer running to God for strength and protection, and "O Come and Mourn with Me Awhile" is a forgotten song about the crucifixion. As I said earlier, each of these songs gets a Jars makeover. The songs you might already know get a little twist that makes them seem new. Several of the unremembered songs have new music completely written by Jars of Clay. Over all, this CD fits their style well and I had to look up several songs to make sure that the words and music weren't written by the group. While it took me a few listens to full get this CD, I love it now. It focuses your thoughts and God and assists in worshipping Him.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful: Strong and original presentation of classic hymns, October 5, 2005 By  D. Keating (Bristow, VA United States) - See all my reviews       With this album Jars of Clay has really done an excellent of job of setting classic hymns of faith to a new and modern sound. It truly is a great album and does not contain any bad songs. The best song on the whole album is "God will lift up your head" which is probably the best worship song I have heard come out this year. If this song does not get you excited about God's power to restore a broken heart, then listen again to the lyrics more closely. The message is simple and powerful. This album includes some really nice mellow surprises like the opening track "God be merciful to me" and "Let us love and sing and wonder". I also like the range of music Jars of Clay uses from the Beatle sounding "It is well with my soul" to the haunting "They will know we are Christians by our love". There is something here for practically everyone. As expected the lyrics are powerful - they just don't write words like these in modern worship songs. I highly recommend this album to any Jars of Clay fan, or anyone interested in becoming more familiar with some old hymns put to modern music. You will be pleased with the results.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful: Pleasant Surprise, August 4, 2005 By  blbooks "Becky" (Texas) - See all my reviews I have been a Jars of Clay fan since their first self-titled album appeared. While I definitely feel that their first two albums are by far their best, I was pleasantly surprised by REDEMPTION SONGS. Over the years, my enthusiasm for the work of Jars of Clay has declined when time after time their latest cd would disappoint me. Most of the middle albums (If I Left The Zoo, The Eleventh Hour, and Who We Are Instead) would have maybe three or four songs that I really liked. What I had also noticed throughout these albums, for the most part, was that the material was becoming less and less spirtual. The songs--some musically pleasing--others not so much--were not "about" anything spiritual...at least not in a straight-forward "this song is about God" kind've way. Jars of Clay double disc Furthermore Stage/Furthermore Studio...was a nice release for me because it went back to the beginning. I particularly enjoyed "Valley Song" and "Redemption." My expectations for REDEMPTION were low. I was hoping that I would find my traditional three or four songs that were good. But what I found was a pleasant surprise...these songs...actually most of them...were quite good. And more importantly they were ALL ABOUT GOD. God Be Merciful To Me -- this song is truly one of the highlights of the album -- 5 stars. I Need Thee Every Hour -- another favorite of mine -- 5 stars God Will Lift Up Your Head -- originally, this song was not a favorite of mine, but after several listenings, it has begun to grow on me -- 4 stars I'll Fly Away -- I love the vocals by Jars of Clay on this song...and if it had just been them...it would have earned 5 stars...but the guest vocals are a bit too annoying to me. 4 stars. Nothing But The Blood -- I love the song 'Nothing But The Blood' particularly the rendition by Chris Rice on the album Exodus or Carman's medley 'Nothing But The Blood/ Are You Washed In The Blood/ He Took My Sins Away on the album Hymns or Jadon Lavik and Phil Keaggy's rendition on the album Moving On Faith. However, I don't care for this rendition...3 stars. Let Us Love and Sing the Wonder -- I really like this song...and the guest vocalist Martin Smith from Delirious is great :) 5 stars O Come and Mourn With Me Awhile -- this song is great-- particularly for singing or listening to during Lent. 4 stars. Hiding Place -- 4 stars Jesus, I Lift Up My Eyes -- 5 stars It Is Well With My Soul -- 4 stars On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand -- 4 stars Thou Lovely Source of True Delight -- one of my favorites from the album -- 5 stars They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love -- I have never liked 'They'll Know We Are Christians--so I am biased on this particular song...2 stars The album REDEMPTION grows better with repeated listenings :) But I am definitely pleased with the new sound/message of the band.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)