If I Left the Zoo Artist:  Jars of Clay Label:  Essential Records Time:  11 Tracks/42:52 minutes	Unforgetful You (sample) mp3G2 Goodbye, Goodnight (sample) mp3G2 Sad Clown (sample) mp3G2

With the possible exception of MxPx, Jars of Clay may be the group most accused of selling out--both musically and lyrically.  Many fans grew accustomed to the coffeehouse feel of the band's debut, and, as is typical of Christian music fans, did not like the follow-up, Much Afraid, wanting a repeat of the first album.  Fans who did not like Much Afraid will likely be critical of If I Left the Zoo as well.

The acoustic strumming that made songs like "Flood" and "Love Song for a Saviour" so popular are all but gone, replaced by keyboards, pianos, and yes, accordions.  The band has also canned their drum machine, opting instead to use Counting Crows drummer Ben Mize.  The addition of Mize to the band makes a huge difference--it gives this album a much more organic feel than the band has had in the past.

If I Left the Zoo is considerably more upbeat than the overly dark Much Afraid.  However, a few songs, such as the piano-driven "Sad Clown" and the "Five Candles" soundalike "Hand," hearken back to the album.  On the whole, this is just a fun pop record in the vein of All Star United, with a few lyrical golden nuggets thrown in:

    You never minded giving us the stars
    Then showing us how blind and unaware of You we are
    ("Unforgetful You")

    I admit I've loved these chains
    And crawling around this cage sometimes has its advantages
    …Someday this could get old
    ("Grace")

    Love is fire and the coals are barely burning
    Cold fills the emptiness that fills this empty place
    I taught you to walk but then you ran away from me
    ("Collide")

The standout track here, though, is the opener, "Goodbye, Goodnight."  The track, comprised mostly of acoustic guitar and accordion, humorously tells the story of the Titanic from the viewpoint of the orchestra, while wryly confronting some of the band's more fair-weather fans:

     Raise a glass for ignorance, drink a toast to fear
    The beginning of the end has come; that's why we're all here
    Strike up the band to play a song and try hard not to cry
    And fake a smile as we all say goodbye

If you're a die-hard fan of Jars of Clay's first album and hated Much Afraid, don't waste your money on If I Left the Zoo.  For fans of quirky, intelligent modern pop, though, this album is a jewel.

Michial Farmer

After their much-hyped but short-lived sophomore effort, Jars of Clay faced the predicament of whether to return to the successful formula of their first release or to continue exploring new avenues. As it is they seem to have found a way to combine the two possibilities as the sound here has more of the folksy influences of their debut but is not limited to that album's formula.

Setting simple mandolin driven tracks such as "No One Loves Me Like You" next to earthy electric tracks, the band has come up with a much more compelling collection than last time out. The lyrics are their trademark well written poetic verse, with less angst than before they are simple but compelling.

Dan Haseltine's vocals still sound a little thin from time to time, particularly when he reaches for high notes, but aren't too difficult to get used to. This is a richly produced album, but not overproduced and is one of the better high profile Christian label releases of the past year.

James Stewart 12/09/1999