"SILENCE" JARS OF CLAY (2002)

One of the most powerful things about music is that it is the soundtrack of our lives. Fellow music fanatic Sharon Hepworth started a music challenge on Twitter for the month of July. Each day, fans around the world will select a song from their life and describe what it means to us. These are my songs. #SoundtrackToYourLife

Day 23

One weekend during my early 30’s, I remember getting away for a weekend in D.C. I wasn’t necessarily looking to escape. I think I was searching for something. Looking back, I remember I was looking for some kind of sign from God following a failed relationship. I needed to be reminded once again that the creator of the universe didn’t fall by the way side, or suddenly become an entity too busy to deal with the little details of our lives. Music helped me through this voyage – specifically a lesser known album called The Eleventh Hour by Jars of Clay. It was just one weekend, but the album – and the song “Silence”, in particular – is a significant part of my life’s soundtrack.

“Silence” is that rare song that’s about both faith and doubt. It’s a song that has more questions than answers. And the key question is: “Where are you?” It’s a line that’s sung over and over and over again. Looking back now at how gripping this song was to me, I realize that the question isn’t posed simply to receive a response. It’s a lament. The question is almost rhetorical in nature. It seems a bit brash to be saying that to the God of the universe. But the vocals, the instruments and a constant record-spinning static effect all seem to be calling out to God in this way, because He is God, and He can take it. I never experienced a song – or really anything – quite like it before.

“I got a question. ‘Where are you?’?

"LIQUID" JARS OF CLAY (1995)

Each day in November, I’m revisiting a song from the 90’s — a decade that was a sorta coming of age for me. In that span, I experienced high school, college and my time as a young single guy in New York City. It was a decade of ups and downs, and the music never stopped playing during that span. It was always there with me. #30DaysOf90sSongs

Since The Beatles, it seems bands have been able to state their political beliefs much more easily than their spiritual convictions without being lambasted or labeled or both. Artists like Dylan, Johnny Cash, U2 and Sufjan Stevens are the exception. But Jars of Clay was the rule. They came out of nowhere with “Flood”, which got extensive airplay on both mainstream and alternative radio formats. But very quickly, they got pegged as the next big Christian rock band, which they were. And, if “Flood” didn’t make it obvious enough that they were singing about Christian faith, “Liquid” certainly did.

Gregorian chants. String arrangements from Adrian Belew. Soaring three-part harmonies. And overt lyrics about the crucifixion. It wasn’t the typical rock & roll song by any stretch. And I think that’s partly why I gravitated toward it so much compared to the more accessible “Flood”. The song felt deeply sincere and assured, and as personal as faith can get. And somehow, it seemed every bit as remorseful as it was hopeful.

“Arms nailed down. Are you telling me something? Eyes turned out. Are you looking for someone?”

"FADE TO GREY" JARS OF CLAY (1997)

In 1996, Jars of Clay came out of nowhere. They took their name from a Bible verse in 2 Corinthians and took over radio with “Flood”. The debut album was brilliant, but the very first song that the band wrote was “Fade to Grey” which didn’t appear on a full-length album until Much Afraid released one year later. It’s still my favorite JoC track. The drum machine fade. The synths. And those vocals felt like a page ripped right out of lead singer Dan Haseltine’s journal.

“Your trance of love is seeking to turn this world around.”