Okay, let me get this off my chest first: I really miss the style Jars of Clay presented on their self-titled debut in 1996. Their unique brand of acoustic guitar and vocal harmony driven alternative rock combined with spiritual, uplifting, poetic lyrics were the reason I fell in love with the Jars in the first place. Unfortunately, their second album wasn't anything like the first (nor nearly as good), and their latest, If I Left The Zoo, is also totally different from the original formula that sold me on the Jars in the first place.

Now, having said that, does this mean that "Zoo" is a bad album? No. Although it is nothing like the original, it is still a very unique and creative album. You can tell that they took a lot of chances on this album and really allowed themselves to experiment with different sounds. Each song is unique in its own way and doesn't sound like every other song on the CD. The musicians play with much more confidence and attitude. Dan Haseltine's voice has never sounded better.

Lyrically, the Jars still know how to deliver a timeless, powerful message in creative and subtle ways. Some of the songs pose tough questions with no easy answers, as is often the case with life, but does not abandon hope. If you're one of those Christian music purists who thinks Christian music has to be direct, simple, have "Jesus" appear in every other line, and use the same old "Jesus is the way" cliche's, then don't buy this album. You'd be much happier with the latest Audio Adrenaline or Rebecca St. James albums. But if you want an album that gives a realistic view of life and how faith plays a role in it, this album is for you. Standout tracks on this CD include "Goodbye, Goodnight", "I'm Alright", "Collide", and "River Constantine."

Although the original Jars album will always be my favorite, I can't really say I'm disappointed with this CD. They've done a pretty good job.

This is a great album. It is one of the best Christian albums that has come out for awhile, period. It has several great potential radio singles, including Unforgetful You, Collide, Famous Last Words, and Can't Erase It. It also has some great slower songs, with good deep lyrics. For fans who think that their first album was their best, there is a song on If I Left the Zoo called River Constantine, which is like a mix of Blind (from their first album) and Frail (from Much Afraid. But it is new and different at the same time. Some of the songs seem odd, because of some of the new sounds that they use on this album, such as on the songs, Goodbye, Goodnight, Unforgetful You, Sad Clown, and I'm Alright. But as surprising as they are at first, once you hear them a few times, you'll probably love them. I did. A great buy, definitely worth the money. They had more fun with this one than they did with Much Afraid. It is lighter, and more laid back. It is also happier. They have Counting Crows drummer playing on the entire album, and Dennis Herring (Counting Crows, Innocence Mission) producing. He pushed them to experiment with new sounds, to go greater strides, and go out of their comfort zones (I'm not making this up), and the results are very good. A true Jars fan shouldn't be disappointed by this excellent album.

I've been reading the reviews for this CD, and I'm amazed at what some people are saying.. This is JARS OF CLAY we're talking here--their songs are all about God, NOT human love. Even if these songs are mainstream hits, they retain their Christianity, and Jars of Clay are by no means sellouts. That said, I'm really proud of these guys for stepping out of their mold. They easily could have stayed in their very comfortable and highly popular debut sound, but they chose to grow, and I applaud their efforts. I love how much fun they had with this album.. My favorite song is "Unforgetful You," which illustrates the JOC fun side, but the album is full of awesome songs. The lyrics run deep, the music is diverse and impressing, and all in all, this album is unmistakably Jars of Clay. I loved the first few singles, then was confused (overwhelmed, perhaps), when I heard the entire album, with the slower, introspective songs for the first time. The more I listen to it, however, the more I love it. This CD is totally worth the money!

This is a great CD. It runs the range from over-the-top rock & roll (alternative sound) to thought-provoking, yet singable little sweet songs. The band is very tight. These guys have real talent. There is only one piece on here that I usually skip past, but that is ALOT more than I can say for most CDs--you know the ones, only one good song on the whole thing. Not the case here. It's great, it is one of my top 5.

Got a teenager or young adult and you don't know what to get them for a gift? You can't go wrong with this CD, unless they already have it. It's edgy enough to satisfy that interest, yet the lyrics are not questionable, and it's very current. Even if the person is not Christian or is of another faith, this CD is not screaming for their conversion to Christianity. There is no mention of Jesus's name, nothing like 'Praise Him' or 'Praise the Lord' although I view many of the songs to be written from His perspective. If you already knew this was a Christian band, you listen to hear that, otherwise you may not even pick up on this aspect. It makes a person think about what God may be like. I am a Christian, but would consider this a mainstream alternative pop rock CD. And it's among the best of all the music out there.

I've been a Jars fan since their debut in 1995. From my first listen, I was struck by the band's ability to write deep, poetic lyrics that appealed to a wide audience, while still remaining true to their faith, and adding that on top of a lot of musical talent.

Well, if you want another album like their debut, don't get this. You won't like it. While the sound is certainly not as "alternative" as Much Afraid, it's pretty much still a ways off from their original. In this album, Jars cut off in new directions. Indeed, it's hard to say that this album has a single "sound", because the songs are so musically diverse and bring in many different influences..some sound like tracks from previous album, some have an R&Bish feel to them, some have a Beech Boys/Beetles feel to them, etc....but they do this without really copying another band's style (their music is still has a strong Jars feel to it). If nothing else, one has to applaud Jars for choosing to do something new, instead of rehashing the old.

Lyrically, the album has the same "feel" that Much Afraid and Jars of Clay had....while they may sound different musically, their lyrics are still spiritually honest and poetic, without being preachy or overly explicit. I'm sure some Christian music fans will believe that Jars has finally sold out (the word Jesus Christ don't appear in a single song on this album), yet song after song speaks to God in the first person (Unforgetful You, Sad Clown, Hand) or metaphorically (River Constantine).

Bottom Line: Don't get this album if a) You absolutely want something that sounds like their first album. b) If you are a Christian music fan, and think that Christian music has to be plain and explicit in its message. c) You don't own a Jars album (get their debut and Much Afraid first, then get this album

Other, click that order button and be happy.