Amazing Simplicity

The best way to explain this album is that "It works". Jars take a classic christmas song and make it thier own without detering from the original feel. on Drummer Boy, the blend of accoustic guitar with stings and haunting backing vocals is really amazing. And they make it sound so easy. Coming from a huge Jars of Clay fan, this review might be slighted, but this really is a gem. The "grinch mix" may not appeal to everyone instantly, but after repeat listenings, it catches on. The Blind remix is another example of Jars' awesome range creativity parting completely from the feel of "Drummer Boy". And ends perfectly with "Wicker Baskets", an instrumental works really well with this collection. If you can find the original release of the Drummer Boy cd with "God rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (a dark accoustic rendition), and an accoustic version of "He" from thier self-titled debut which is amazing, I HIGHLY advise you buy it. Bottom line, this album works well anytime of the year, I listen to it reguardless of the season.

Great Teaser. Now Where's the Complete CD?

When I started listening to Jars of Clay's music, this was one of the first CD's I bought because of my love of Christmas music. It perfectly blends a traditional Christmas song with their unique style. It whetted my appetite for a complete Christmas CD from them.



There are a total of four songs on this CD. The regular recording of "Little Drummer Boy" is followed by the Grinch Mix of the song. I tend to like the original arrangement of a song and not care too much for remixes, and that rule applies to this as well. Same can be said for the next song, the Fluffy Saw Mix of "Blind" from their debut CD. Finally, we get "Wicker Baskets," an acoustic instrumental piece I really like.



It's been almost 10 years since this hit the market. Here's hoping they finally get around to following it up with a full length Christmas CD soon. If this is any indication, it would be great!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I became a casual fan of Christian rock group Jars Of Clay through their hit single "Flood", but once I heard their version of one of my favorite Christmas songs on the radio several years ago, I instantly feel in love with its modern acoustics which blend flawlessly, and without detracting from the original feel of the classic Christmas tune, perfectly! I can seriously listen to this one song over and over again without growing tiresome of it! That's honestly how good their rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy" really is! And while the Grinch Mix of the same song pales in comparison to the original single version, having it be slower in pace as it reduces to nothing but drums and subtle synthesizers work rather nicely.

The next two songs aren't exactly Christmas tunes but they're very nice to listen to if you feel the need to relax or to rewind from the stresses that Christmas sometimes generates while trying to manage your money while shopping!

I especially enjoy the Fluffy Sav Mix of "Blind", which I would recommend buying if it was a song by itself! And then there's "Wicker Baskets" which is a short, mellow instrumental that closes the album with calm acoustics.