CCM Countdown: 4

My countdown continues today as we reach the first of two #4's on my list of the 50 Contemporary Christian albums that had the most influence on my life and ministry.  To see last week's posting and get links all the way back to number 50, click here.

4)  JARS OF CLAY-  Jars of Clay-  1995
Very rarely does any band, Christian or otherwise, produce an absolute classic on its' first try, but that is exactly what Jars of Clay did with this self-titled debut album.  Their sound was unique and their message was clear, and every song was like a symphony- complex, melodic and captivating.  We played this CD loud and often in the youth room at First United Methodist Church- Kissimmee.  The youth choir there sang a couple of the songs as well.  And later on we would do Love Song For A Savior as a worship song in Tampa.

FEATURED SONGS
Liquid opens the project with its' haunting "This is the one thing that I know" chorus and heavy violin sound.  Love Song For A Savior (see video below) captures so beautifully the relationship between Jesus and those who follow Him.  My personal favorite, Like A Child, reminds us all that we need to trust God like children trust their parents, and if we do, then our faith can move mountains.  It is an amazing song.  Other tunes include Art In Me, Boy On A String and Sinking.  The song Flood changed the way Christian music was viewed by those outside the church as the video was in heavy rotation on MTV (back when they played videos!) and the song was all over popular radio.  The song uses the thought of flood waters to help us see that only Christ can rescue us from drowning in sin.  The opening acoustic guitar rift still gives me chills.  The CD ends with Worlds Apart, which concludes with the lyric "because what I need and what I believe are worlds apart."  It is still often the closing number of their concerts, which are incredible- now.  Back in 1995 they did a lot of standing around on stage; so much, in fact, that we came to call being disorganized on stage "claying."  I never thought Jars would be able to top their debut album- but I was wrong.  This is the second of 3 Jars of Clay projects on this countdown...

OTHER RECOMMENDED ALBUMS FROM JARS OF CLAY
Much Afraid-  1997
If I Left the Zoo-  1999
The Eleventh Hour-  2002
Who We Are Instead-  2003
Redemption Songs-  2005*
Good Monsters-  2006*
*indicates album also included in this countdown