Jars of Clay

Jars Of Clay: Dan Haseltine (vocals); Matt Odmark (guitar); Charlie Lowell (keyboards); Steve Mason (bass).
Producers: Adrian Belew, Jars Of Clay.
JARS OF CLAY was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album.
Jars of Clay approach progressive Christian music from a refreshing angle, mixing a simple acoustic folk sound with a hip-hop beat and decidedly un-preachy yet powerfully religious lyrics. Vocalist Dan Haseltine imbues lines like "They say that I can walk on water/If I would follow and believe/ With faith like a child," with palpable sincerity and a charismatic vocal style. Particularly strong are the two tracks produced by Adrian Belew, an eccentric guitarist who's worked with David Bowie, Peter Gabriel and the Talking Heads among others. "Liquid" makes inventive use of otherworldly Gregorian chant samples and an orchestral background, and includes Belew himself on bass and mandolin. JARS OF CLAY is a mature effort by a fiercely devout group of musicians with a commanding yet humble religious message to convey.