It sounds like they don't care what they used to sound like - or, maybe I should say what people think they should sound like. So the song writing, the mix, the overall feel, is fresh, a bit edgy, and overall great.

This is the record that Jars Of Clay was destined to make. All of their previous records showed glimpses of their brilliance, but as good as they were they all had some fatal flaw that kept them reaching the upper echelons. Good Monsters is the culmination of over a decade of experimentation, touring, and downright trial and error. Where past records heavily borrowed musical vocabulary from Toad The Wet Sprocket, R.E.M., U2, The Eagles, et al, Good Monsters finds Jars seamlessly integrating those elements into their set without wearing the influences on their sleeves. (Though "Carry Me" does borrow heavily from The Killers and the post-punk revivalist movement.) The songcraft has reached a new high. The arrangements are carefully textured and balanced to perfection - never over the top and never too sparse. And every song has a hook. What more could you ask for? How about a thematic maturity not seen since U2's Achtung Baby? Dan Haseltine's lyrics are world-weary, laden with experience, doubt, honesty, and faith and are delivered with heart aching earnesty. "O My God" with its brooding start slowly crescendos to a tense yet cathartic emotional climax. "Work" and "Carry Me" are the hardest rockers ever seen on a Jars record, and are crafted to perfection. Every track is a standout. On the outside this may seem like a dark record. It is in many aspects. But faith, hope, love and redemption are peeking around every corner which makes the journey ultimately rewarding. This is Jars Of Clay without the boyish college facade. This is the sound of a band in its maturity. They've been around the block a few times and the results are consistently stunning.

As a longtime Jars fan, I'm very pleased with this latest album. I have always appreciated the depth of their lyrics, and I'm happy to say that this hasn't changed a bit with Good Monsters. Work, Dead Man, and Take Me Higher are upbeat and catchy, and many others, such as Light Gives Heat and Water Under the Bridge really make you stop and think. There is a good mix of harder and softer songs, and the songs all fit around the central theme of how Christians can often become "Good Monsters." I highly recommend this album to longtime fans and those who haven't yet had the pleasure of listening to a Jars album!

Absolutely amazing album. Jars of Clay is an awesome band. I love their music.

My personal favorite is Dead Man (Carry Me). It is crafted to perfection. But all the tracks are very strong. I still can't decide if I like this or their self-titled release better.

These guys don't just make good Christian music. They make good music.

Jars of Clay has never been predictable, but at the same time they have always held the same elements that brought them fame; lyrical honesty and good music. They have always been a Christian band, but a band that at times has given more attention to other things then God, yet at the same time you always knew their songs revolved around God, even when the words didn't. It is a difficult balance to hold and Jars of Clay is the only band I know that can do it effectively.

With "Good Monsters" they have achieved the crown of their long career. Their past albums were always consistent and well-written, but "Good Monsters" succeeds where there past albums didn't; with each continued listen, you will find more and more that you like within the album. At first the only songs I could listen to were "Work", "Dead Man", and "All My Tears". While those songs are amazing (even better live), they only barely crack the surface of what the rest of the album holds.

There is just so much here, but the common theme seems to be hurting people. From the opening "Work" which states "I have no fear of drowning, its the breathing, that's taking all this work" to the closing tracks "Light Gives Heat" (very remminiscent of U2, and one of the best tracks here) and "Water Under the Bridge". The only bright spots in the pain expressed in this album are "Good Monsters" and "Smoke and Mirrors", the duet with former Sixpence None the Richer singer Leigh Nash. Everything else expresses some sort of pain in life, and points back toward the cross as the answer to that pain (although not blatantly).

Jars of Clay really is one of those bands you can still love even if you don't like Christian music at all. I suggest that you give this album a try, it will grow on you.

God Bless & *Enjoy* ~Amy

That it be christian, yes! That it be good music, yes! that it be good rock, again , yes! This is absolutly a jewel! Dance on #10 or just enjoy all the rest with its rythmes'n all!

Still listening to the album after a year. . . which in today's music is "cool" for a week, I think that it says a lot. As with a lot of others posting reviews here, faves include Work, All My Tears, and Oh My God. Which isn't to say that the rest of the album isn't great to listen to as well. . . Mirrors and Smoke, Dead Man, etc. This album allows one to listen to "positive" music without the typical over the top religous sermon (although I am fairly religous myself). Great job to the band. . . will hopefully get to see you this fall!

Being a jars fan since their self titled debut album, I always get nervous with a new release, crossing my fingers that they won't ever change for the worse (as most bands with this many releases do), so I have to say how incredibly impressed I was with this album. The vocals have strengthened and matured over the past 12 years, and they have not lost their writing edge (which is by far the main reason I love this band so much). When I first heard light gives heat, all I could think about was the invisible children videos that i've seen, but hearing their podcast on it and learning that the african singers in the background are Ugandan was amazing!

I'm new to Jars of Clay, and contemporary Christian music in general - but on the advice of a friend I checked this group out, and my instant response based on sound clips was "Wow they don't suck!"

After listening continually to the Good Monsters cd for a day now, I can assure you - you won't find touchy-feely, insipid Christian music here. These guys can rock with the best of modern bands. They have a contemporary feel, while also mixing in touches of traditional country, blues, an 80's feel, a dash of U2, and even a nod to The Beatles.. and they turn it all into a sound all their own.

Many reviews here will lay out a track by track review, and I'll pass on that. I will say Work, Dead Man (Carry Me), There's a River, Oh My God are likely the stand out hits here - and to have that many on a modern cd is saying a lot for how good these guys really are. For fans of Christian music this is a definite must-have...

For folks not into Christian music, or perhaps not even into God -- fear not. God is present here, but He's not bashing anyone over the head. This cd is more about Hope than anything else, and everyone I know can use plenty of that. Don't let the musical category scare you -- this is music worth hearing for more than its message.

I read a previous review that said that this was a "dark album"
I don't know about divorce... They all wear their rings respectively, during the fall leg of this tour. I am a long time fan club member since the 1st tour. One member lost a family member, but I believe that happened during the last albums tour, but perhaps during the writing of this one.

I don't think that its is a dark album. I think they are looking at the world today and showing it for what it is.

People today are in love with themselves. To many people want instant gratification of their own flesh, hence our culture. - Good monsters.

Oh My God - Everyone calls on God when they want. They use the name in vein and not bat an eye.

Light gives heat - to many people want to give a hand out or to say that we know the way we really should help these people. But above all, wherever help is needed, we need to lend our help, but give the right kind of help. Its the saying " give a man a fish and he can eat a day, teach a man to fish and he will never go hungry." The charity that I donate to helps communities become self sustaining, and not showing them "our way of doing everything".


Dead man - (carry me)What a wonderful way to put it when becoming a Christian. We are dead, and He makes us alive. You want to become "new".

Work - Downing is easy,you just give up and stop. Breathing is hard. Breathing means that your fighting for something worth fighting for. I love how the lyric do say "I can not trust these voices" and "Now all the demons look like prophets and I'm living out
Every word they speak, every word they speak" - that just puts me in awe. It is the realization that you are coming to terms you are not following what you should be. Your focus of your faith is not on the right path, and you realize it. This a part of being human. Once someone is on that path, the work is turning around and walking closer to God. It may take a lot of hard work. I absolutely love that song.

I believe the Jars of Clay has done a wonderful job of showing what we as Christians do. We try and walk the walk that we are supposed to. However, we do make mistakes, not walk in the light, get distracted with our own worldly desires. Then when we take a moment to reflect and get our life back on the path it should be.

I can't stand when I hear someone say "oh Joe said he was a Christian but they were ---- (insert a sin here)." We are human just like everyone else, but we are forgiven.

I cant wait for the Live Good Monsters album to come out. I will purchase it on Sept 4th :) - its on Itunes, but I prefer .WMA files :)

With all that said - Frail is still my favorite song. The live version on 11th hour (stage and studio) I believe. It is the best song live. A close second is Worlds Apart the live version.

It is a great CD and I really enjoy it. I hope all of you future customers enjoy it as well. Good luck and God Bless.

I wasn't sure what to expect from Jars of Clay's CD before I bought it. On the one had, yes, Jars of Clay has produced solid albums for years. On the other, there was ominous possibility that they'd go down hill and start producing dull, derivative albums barely worth listening to--it happened to Newsboys, and it could've happened to them. Fortunately, it didn't (and I'm still holding out hope for Newsboys).

"Work" eased my mind, as did "Dead Man". Both fast rock songs combined well-written lyrics with catchy melodies and nice guitar hooks, pulling me into the album with strength. The next few albums were a bit of a letdown in comparison, not bad but really rather average. Once "Oh My God" started, however, I was hooked again.

Where the album's beginning was rockier than most of Jars of Clay's other songs, "Oh My God" (and "Surprise", which came a little after it) are quiet acoustic-driven songs, with emotional lyrics that make use of excellent lyric-writing. "Shoot a dream in your arm and sleep away," says "Surprise" as it opens. "It's not the stuff that kills you that keeps your life at bay." Though after that the album trails off a lot in quality (with the exception of "Light Gives Heat," an indictment of the west's treatment of Africans), those songs alone made the album worth its price to me.

Those other tracks, though, keep the album from a 5/5. Actually, "Mirrors & Smoke" alone would have knocked the album from a perfect score. With its repetitive melody and surprisingly dull lyrics, it's a track that I couldn't stand to listen to more than a few times. Likewise, "All My Tears" and "Water Under the Bridge", though no worse than average, are blemishes on an otherwise brilliant album.

Overall, this is an album fans of Jars of Clay should definitely pick up a copy of. The band has done it again, and despite the few mistakes, this release is quite excellent.

If you want a mix of good Christian music this is it and it should be on a best seller list some where in this world. There is worship and rock all mixed into one. This would be a good gift for anyone who is dumb founded into what kinda of music CD to get someone.

I had only heard Dead Man on the radio and wasn't sure what to expect from the rest of the CD, but it's quickly become one of my favorites. The Jars are so incredibly talented and inspirational, too. This one will appeal to younger (teenage) listeners too, since it's got a rocker kind of edge to a lot of the songs.

I received this CD as a gift and loved it so much, I bought one for my brother and one for my sister.

This whole cd is really good. You can get so much spiritually out of this cd. It is worth every penny.

When listening to Jars of Clay's first track off of their Good Monsters album, you could tell this was going to be different from other albums but strangely the same as well. Jars has stepped away from the acoustic mellow feel from their previous two albums, Who We Are Instead and Redemption Songs. They have released their creativity and musicianship into a feel good rock album with introspective lyrics. Work, the first track, is a driving rock song that is great to kick off the cd. The song has been featured as the backing promo for the Fox TV medical series House.
The meatier and hard hitting song on this album has to be Oh My God. This song starts off with only a guitar and Dan's voice singing as if he was having a chat with God. It deals with frustrations and utilizes the phrase some of us use, Oh My God. This song nicely begins to crescendo as the backing vocals repeat Oh MY God with Dan's voice revealing more desperation and frustration with trying to understand things not in our control. This song has you thinking, "Is this what God hears when people are constantly asking him for help, Oh My God"... Truly a powerful song.
Mirrors and Smoke is a playful look at love and has Johnny and June Carter Cash feel to it. Other standout tracks are Even Angels Cry , Light Gives Heat, Dead Man (Carry Me) and Good Monsters. Good Monsters reflects on how we all are good monsters, ("Not all monsters are bad, but the ones who are good
Never do what they could, never do what they could") A look at how by not taking actions against the monsters that are bad, we in turn good monsters that never acted out on our good intentions. This song has deep lyrics with a song that doesn't' beat the message out of you but rather use a catchy pop sound.
Jars of Clay have managed to take a different direction sonically on this album, yet keeps the insightful lyrics that challenge listeners, Christian or otherwise (don't like the fact that they are labeled a Christian band). The album is for those wishing to listen to the music with an open mind for its musicianship, production, and lyrical quality.

Good Monsters may have to grow on some classic jars fans...but it is still a great album. It's got a little more rock than your used to, but the band always finds a way to change their style without sacrificing anything. "Work" stands out as a great opener and "Dead Man" is a good single. I'm always more interested in the "B" sides of an album. "All my Tears" and "There is a River" do not dissappoint in this category. If you are a Jars fan buy the album...if not buy the album.

This album is simply a testimony to the band's commitment to sharing messages of peace and self-reflection through music with mass-appeal. Every song has something to offer. You won't be disappointed!!

jars of clay never stops growing as a band and rejuvinating the christian music scene. "good monsters" is no exception. this is an honest album that will remind you why you first fell in love with jars, or why you want to be their newest fan. this album will no doubt bring you closer to the heart of God.

Another brilliant release from a band that has literally revolutionized the Christian and secular music industries. Dan Haseltine's voice is warm and passionate; the trademark unique instrumentations are faultlessly produced, and the lyrics are solid without being trite. This CD played in my car for a month straight, and I still pull it out to re-listen. It's the kind of music that gets better with familiarity. If you don't have it yet, you're missing out on a classic.

Literally stumbled upon this cd and it is my first real Jars of Clay experience. It is very, very cool.

I have heard their music on radio and as soundtracks to movies or tv features. I have always liked their band name and I have heard they are great but I havent personally ventured or cared enough to find out more about them or their music. Until now.

Their music is very simple and stylized, a different kind of rock. The songs on this cd are very retro and I absolutely love that quality about them. They are also strongly reminiscent of the Beatles and sometimes Oasis, with a dash of Hanson, maybe more like at the intersection of all these bands, you'll find Jars of Clay.

There is nothing slick about this cd. It's got great songs, great acoustics and is very easy to listen to, kind of like sleeping on a soft, soothing and yet undeniably metallic pillow. Enjoy!

The bad news: "Jars of Clay", "Much Afraid", and even "If I Left the Zoo" spoiled JoC fans rotten. "Good Monsters" doesn't quite recapture the high quality of JoC's first two or three CDs.
The good news: The first track alone makes this album worth your while and is certainly far superior to most Christian music being made today. Along with "Work", other highlights are "Dead Man (Carry Me)" and the title track.

The band's eighth album is a worthy offering from a group that continually challenges itself to grow and to ask tough questions.

"Good Monsters" explores the themes of loneliness, desperation, longing for renewal, inaction, wrong attitudes, obstacles in the way of love - a heavy-sounding mix - but the guys deliver all this with songs that are at once deep and wonderfully listenable.

Lead singer and main lyricist Dan Haseltine's vocals are at their strongest. His voice has never seemed so expressive, flexible, impassioned, and vulnerable as on this release.

The album takes off with the first cut, "Work", a driving, exhilarating rock song that tells the tale of a person's desperate loneliness.

The title track, "Good Monsters", suggests that we all have elements of good and evil in ourselves; we are all monsters. But we can be good monsters and do something to effect change.

The album's highlight is "Oh My God", an epic masterpiece that will move you, pierce you and shatter you. Amazingly, this song was recorded in one take.

"Mirrors & Smoke" might be about a man's inability to commit to love a woman, or it might be about his inability to commit to God. The subject matter seems to be a little sad on the surface, but the energy and joy from Dan and Leigh's vocals and the backing music give you a little hope that perhaps this love might work out after all despite words to the contrary.

Many of the songs were recorded live with the whole band performing together, and I like to think that this gives the songs extra energy and vibrancy.

Is this Jars' best album to date? I don't know especially since all of their albums are excellent. Is it great? Yes, definitely. I recommend that you pick it up, but be prepared to think, feel, be moved, and perhaps act.

Jars of Clay is my favorite Christian band! I love them and this CD is awesome, not as good of their first album - which is my favorite CD, but this one is really great. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves music, not just Christians.

It's amazing how Jars of Clay manages to get their message across without being overly preachy. It's very refreshing to have music that my four year old can sing along to without offending his grandma.

The whole album is quite strong, but our favorites are Dead Man, Good Monsters, All My Tears, and Even Angels Cry.

I recommend this album to anyone, Christian or not.

I have been a Jars of Clay fan for a long time and I continue to be impressed at their innovation and commitment to making great music. I think the sign of a good Christian rock band is that you would listen to them whether they were a Christian band or not, and this is definitely the case with Jars. This album starts out hard-hitting with "Work" and their single "Dead Man," but also shows their expertise in melodic ballads as well. Overall, Eleventh Hour remains my favorite album, but this is definitely near the top of my list and I will be there to see them in concert in a few weeks in Colorado!

I got this CD after hearing "Dead Man" on the radio. I liked the song, liked the "typical" Jars of Clay sound and thought that the album would be pretty good. The album was beyond that and it hasn't left a cd player now in well over two months. Yes, it is that good.
This album definitely explores it's issues with a bit of a country twang and that only adds to the music. While I agree with a previous reviewer that "Oh My God" is the highlight of the album, it goes hand-in-hand with the next song "Surprise" and the whole album just flows from one idea to another.
This album is a must-have for old fans of Jars of Clay or for people just looking for some great new music.

I haven't heard much of it but i bet that it is a very good CD. And if i bought it i would realy realy love it.

The overarching Christian messages prevalent in Jars' latest album, Good Monsters, are both both inspiring and unsettling as they tackle the 'comfortable christianity', the pain that we as christians have caused and the beauty that comes from the life of God. a truly beauiful album in which their roots (folk tint to rock and acoustic inspirational) are extrapolated above and beyond their previous works- Arguably the best result of a clear relationship between a band and it's God, Good Monsters is "not safe, but it is good" (CS Lewis, Mr. Beaver talking of Aslan)

God Bless+

-drew miller

I love how Jars of Clay can give out the same vibe with each album yet somehow are always different, always brilliant!! Rock on!!

I got "good monsters" for Christmas and I LOVE IT!!!!!! my favorite song is "deadman(carry Me)".Theres really not much else to say except Jars of Clay are AWESOME!!!!

Jars of Clay is seriously the best of their genre! They write some of the most well crafted and emotional songs of our time. Every album sounds different and inspirational. Good Monsters is more up beat and fun than previous work. They would have to be my favorite Christian Rock group ever. Everyone should own this album and it would come to no disappointment to their fans of their earlier albums. One of my fav songs would have to be WORK, their video was really cool for it too. Everone should check it out on Launch!

I cannot stop listening to this CD. I am a longtime Jars of Clay fan, and just when I thought I had them all figured out, they surprised me! This cd has it all-- soulful ballads, rock n roll, poignant lyrics, beautiful vocals, and great guitar, keyboard, and drums. Every time I listen to it I discover something new that I love about it. Possibly my all-time favorite!

Once again, Jars of Clay has reinvented itself in their new album "Good Monsters". I'm a Jarhead through and through. While their sound is still recognizable as 'Jars' with their acoustic, rich and mellow streamline sets, "Good Monsters" definitely packs a punch. My favorite tunes are the pulsating timbrel in "Work" and the ebb and flow of "Light Gives Heat". While songs like "Work" and "Dead Man" creatively blend Jars hallmark sound with funk & rock riffs, "Light Gives Heat" perfectly spotlights frontman Dan Haseltine's lilting vocals at his best: songs about vulnerability and a call to personal introspection. While I maintain that the first "Jars of Clay" is still my personal'CD attic' favorite, "Good Monsters" won me over. A must for a serious Jars of Clay fan. 2.Cor.4.7