"This is the story of how Much-Afraid escaped from her Fearing relatives and went with the Shepherd to the High Places where perfect love castest out fear." So begins Hannah Hurnard's classic allegory, Hinds' Feet On High Places. It could easily be the story of Jars Of Clay's sophomore effort, Much Afraid. Exploring themes of total dependence on Christ, shattered human relationships and God's strength made perfect in our weakness, Jars effectively makes the trip with Much Afraid to the High Places and at the end of the journey find themselves equally transformed with her into Grace and Glory. For anyone who may have questioned the phenomenal success of Jars Of Clay's first album (nearly 2 million units and counting) a cursory listen to Much Afraid should lay any doubts about their talent to rest. This is the follow-up album most groups only dream about. Pairing the group with superstar producer Stephen Lipson (Annie Lennox, Sophie B. Hawkins) gave Jars the opportunity to refine and polish their slightly alternative signature sound to a velvet edge. This is smart adult pop, in the territory of Sting or Seal. The playing is exquisite, the harmonies are tight, and lead vocalist Dan Haseltine has never sounded so good. Once again, the songwriting takes center stage with literate, emotive blank verse set to music which is simultaneously intriguing, beguiling and captivating. This album is distinctly Jars Of Clay, yet it is a Jars Of Clay that has had two years of Cinderella success to deal with. Experiences both good and bad have forced them to grow, to mature, to ripen--the treasure within becoming more evident and more obvious in the music. Much Afraid takes you on a journey; a journey to the High Places. For Jars Of Clay, like Grace and Glory, this is the beginning of a new song altogether.