The band’s introspection reveals the need for dads to be actively involved with their children (“Five Candles”), the futility of empty tears (“Crazy Times”), and the effect of miscommunication on fragile emotions (“Tea and Sympathy”). On “Hymn,” the singer worships Jesus with sweet poetry. Also strongly spiritual, the title song points to Christ as a refuge. “Overjoyed” glories in a liberating relationship. Positive lines inhabit several thematically obscure tunes.
None. However . . .
This sophomore disc from CCM’s Jars of Clay (which sold more than 500,000 copies and hit the pop Top 10) seems incomplete. The weary traveller is well represented, but the abundant joy of John 10:10 is not-just abundant soul-searching. That’s fine if the band wants secular listeners to know that it empathizes with their daily struggles. And as a pop album, Much Afraid is a winner. But Christian teens expecting edifying answers to these same deep questions will need to look elsewhere.
