Album: Redemption Songs
Artist: Jars of Clay
Label: Essential
Sounds like: Ollabelle, “Who We Are Instead”

Jars championing the rehabilitation of ol’ timey hymns and spirituals? Makes sense, because as well as being one of the biggest names in the Christian music biz they are grounded in the more traditional Americana sound of acoustic guitars, mandolins and cheesy organ. Here they are clearly having fun, but in their typically laid-back fashion, which actually suits these reverent lyrics of old. The matching music is largely new, but there are a few traditional tunes, like, “It is well with my soul,” in an adorably 60s hippie arrangement, and “I’ll fly away,” which grows from gentle to rousing. Of the many album guests, The Blind Boys of Alabama sound especially at home.

Nick's Rating: 4/5