Producer(s): Jars of Clay
Genre: CHRISTIAN
Label: Essential
Originally Reviewed: March 09, 2002

Written, produced, and recorded by the Nashville-based act itself, The Eleventh Hour harks back to the roots of Jars of Clay's self-titled debut album (see story, page 16). On this, the band's fourth album, fans will surely revel in the seamless merging of intricately woven acoustic guitars and poetic vocal harmonies—elements that have only helped to ensure the band's place in Christian and pop music. High points are aplenty here: The cascading electric guitar riffs and tones of "Disappear" are steeped in U2 references, and "Revolution" is a listener-friendly straight-up rock song. On "Silence," haunting lyrics, coupled with hip-hop shadings, leave the soul yearning. A blistering track like this is a fine showcase for the band's production skills.
—WA