Jars of Clay's debut self-titled CD set a new standard for young Christian musicians attempting to musically express their faith. Their combination of acoustic pop, samples, haunting production (courtesy of King Crimson's Adrian Belew) and tender melodies took their album and singles into the upper realms of the Billboard mainstream charts in the US in 1995-96.

Much of Jars' characteristically refreshing approach to Christianity (all the guys are in their early 20s) is still present lyrically on Much Afraid, even if their words are not as thick with power to transform as on their self-titled effort. Still their lyrics express that the band members see themselves as 'frail' (the name of one of the tracks on Much Afraid), with lives laid out for God, bare and in utter need of His presence:

'It's in despair that I find faith, summons the night to bow down to day, when ignorance is bliss, won't you save me from myself' ('Fade to Grey'); 'Exposed beyond the shadows, you take the cup from me, your dirt removes my blindness, your pain becomes my peace' ('Frail').

However, given the fact that the lyrical content is not as solid this time around, it is the band's musical approach on Much Afraid that is a bit disappointing. What made Jars of Clay the album so compelling was its honest lyrics wrapped in a truly original musical tapestry. The band didn't sound like anybody else.

Now I'm sure the guys wanted to progress musically and develop their style. But, while the moody acoustic flourishes are still present, the band have moved toward a slick, AOR rock style for many of the album's tracks. It really brings the band back to the field. What had come to be acknowledged as the Jars of Clay sound is only strongly present on one track ('Frail') and, to my mind, it is the standout because of it.

This dabbling with rock, occasionally effective, more often gives the band a sound somewhere between '80s rockers Big Country and the Bee Gees on some tracks. Without wanting to disparage followers of those two groups, it doesn't do much for the sentiments expressed by Jars of Clay. And there is a chap called Greg Wells who turns up playing drums and percussion on most of the tracks. He should perhaps have been told to settle down and not dominate every spare open space. This is a Jars of Clay album, not a Simple Minds, Big Country et. al. album.

Okay, so I am advocating that Jars of Clay stick with what they do best, their melodic, eerie acoustic pop. But the band is obviously free to make the music they will. It's not to say Much Afraid is a bad album. Because of the band's openhearted approach to God, they are a lesson to anyone about humility of heart when approaching dealings with the eternal creator. Their reverence of and love for God is an example to any of their generation. Their willingness to commit their ample musical talents to God, as compared with the proliferation of self-obsessed musicians putting out alleged art all over the world, is also to be commended.

But, me thinks, in their desire to remain contemporary, they have moved too soon away from the style that gave them the best musical voice in which to express their organic and humble faith. Because of the aforementioned characteristic, Jars of Clay still stand out from the crowd in Christian and mainstream circles. But they could stand out a lot more.