I’ve often caught myself wondering how my love and fascination for this “rock band” started as their brand of music—Christian/Rock—was an entirely new concept to me way back in 1995.  After hearing the tracks Liquid, Art In Me, Boy On A String, and Sinking I was hooked for life and have gotten every album since then.

Jars of Clay is composed of four members: Lead vocalist Dan Haseltine, keyboardist Charlie Lowell, and guitarist Stephen Mason & Matt Odmark 

Below is an A-Z overview of  Jars of Clay releases over the years (Available: Jars of Clay)

Jars of Clay Albums

a) Frail – Released in April 1994 as a demo disc. Only 1500 copies were ever produced and I have even stumbled across a website that has a nifty demographic chart attempting to plot where all the copies are around the world. 

b) Jars of Clay – Debuted on October 24, 1995. I’ve seen both the Essential records and Silvertone records releases of this self-titled album but I enjoyed the printing of the latter label. This ablum has been my benchmark for all of the bands future endeavors.

c) Drummer Boy – Released by Essential Records in 1995. I’ve only seen this album is a cassette format here in the Philippines.  A second release with a new track list was released by Silvertone Records on November 1997.

d) Jars of Clay Interactive – The 1996 release contains cuts from their Frail album as well as a screensaver and band pictures.

e) Never Say Dinosaur: A Tribute to Petra – Produced in June of 1996. Song: “Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows,” a Petra cover song.

f) The Long Kiss Goodnight Soundtrack – Out on October 1996. Jars of Clay track is entitled “The Chair” which has since been re-released on their Crazy Times Maxi-Single.

g) Jars of Clay Platinum – Released by Essential Records in 1996. Limited to 20,000 copies United States pressing and a reported 10,000 copies of an international pressing. This album is sequentially numbered and has the exact same tracks as the bands self-titled album.

h) The Coca-Cola Christmas Radio Commercial – Released during the winter of 96’. Was originally downloadable in the band’s site, but that option has since been removed.

i) Crazy Times Maxi-Single – A 1997 release. Currently out of print but available on occassion in eBay!

j) Much Afraid – Released on September 16, 1997. Was inspired by a book by Hannah Hurnard entitled “Hinds’ Feet on High Places.” The book speaks of characters such as Much Afraid, Sorrow, and Suffering and their journey to the High Places, “where their weaknesses will be turned into strengths and their fears into faith.”  Overall, this “sophomore” endeavor has certainly lived up to the all the expectations set by their self-titled debut album.

k) Seatbelt Tuba – Released on the same day and bundled with 30,000 Much Afraid copies purchased through Family Christian Bookstores. Due to its rarity, the album goes for about $30-$40 dollars on eBay (if available).

l) Exodus – A compilation which contains a wonderful Jars song entitled, “Needful Hands.” Released on the 19th of May 1998. 

m) Prince of Egypt Soundtrack Sampler – The soundtrack album was originally released on October 17, 1998 but I think my sampler was released earlier than that.  It contains the Jars of Clay track, “Everything in Between” as well as collaborations by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men.

n) Stringtown – A fan club level II and level III double disc exclusive which was released on the 26th of July 1999.  Available on eBay for about $20-$40.

o) If I Left The Zoo – Released on November 9, 1999. The group’s third effort which as almost named, “If I Ran The Zoo” which “ran” into copyright problems as there is a Dr. Seuss book with a similar title. Much like their first two collaborations, I grew to love this album in its entirety.

p) Frontyard Luge – Similar to Seatbelt Tuba, Frontyard Luge was bundled with “If I Left The Zoo” during its release over the internet several years ago.  This album is said to be limited to only 5,000 copies and goes for about $30-$40 dollars on eBay (if available).

q) Roaring Lambs – The album contains the Jars of clay track, “Headstrong.” Originally released on June 6, 2000.

r) City on a Hill – Songs of Worship and Praise – Contains the songs “The Stone” and “This Road.” Release date was set for August 22, 2000.

s) Jar of Gems – A double disc Singaporean release (8/21/01) that was reported to be considered as the “Jars’ Singapore Greatest Hits album, compiling all of their radio singles in Singapore. It also includes a 7-track EP of selections from the White Elephant Sessions.”

t) Re:newal the Art of Community – An exclusive internet release.  This was a fundraiser CD for the Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN was released on the 9th of September 2001. It features various artists, including the song The Comforter Has Come by Jars of Clay.

u) We Were Soldiers Soundtrack – Though it was released on February 26, 2002.  In my opinion, if you take out the Jars Of Clay exclusive track entitled, “The Widowing Field,” I probably wouldn’t have gotten it. Heck, I didn’t even watch the movie. But if you put together all the trailers I’ve seen of it on screen and on television. I probably did see the movie…did I?

v) The Eleventh Hour – Released on March 2002

w) Ten:Thirty - The Making of the Eleventh Hour – Released on the 5th of March 2002 as a free companion CD to theeleventhhour pre-order from the Family Christian Bookstore’s online site.  Aside from being “currently out of print,” the disc also contains a “short Quicktime movie about the making of theeleventhhour, complete with studio footage and band interviews.” (Available on eBay: Jars of Clay Ten Thirty)

x) City of a Hill: It’s Christmas Time – An Essential Records compilation which was released last September 24, 2002. Contains a Jars of Clay track entitled, “Bethlehem Town.”

y) Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage – A a double disc collaboration between Essential Records and Brentwood Records that was released on the 4th of February 2003. “The first disc contains old songs reworked acoustic live in the studio, and three new songs. The second disc contains selected live tracks from the 11ive DVD concert.”

z) WoW Worship: Yellow – A Compilation released in March 2003. Contains a Jars of Clay enhanced old Irish hymn entitled, “Be Thou My Vision.”

Most, if not all of these items are available on eBay from time to time.  Branch out and try something new!  I think you will be plesantly surprised. (Available: Jars of Clay)

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