Jars of Clay's long awaited new music is finally becoming available. Their new maxi-single, Crazy Times gives the listener an "enhanced" experience, featuring random CD-Rom material including videos, pictures, etc -- plus four songs.

The CD opens with their new single, "Crazy Times," which fans have probably heard played live in concert or at the 1997 Dove Awards. The song is definitely 'hit material,' while being more electric than any of their past songs. The song lyrically speaks about how, in times of trouble, we tend to go through the misery, trying everything but going to God and how we use prayer as our last resort while it should be our first move.

Next is "The Chair," a song written and recorded for The Long Kiss Goodnight movie soundtrack. The original instrumental demo version of one of the first Jars songs, "Frail," follows, originally included on the band's rare independent release by the same name. The Crazy Times single then closes with the new (and short) instrumental song, "Sleepers," exclusive to this single.

This maxi-single a cool disc and worth the seven bucks just for the CD-Rom material. It's a nice little teaser before Jars Of Clay's long awaited sophomore project, Much Afraid hits shelves.

- Review date: 1997, written by John DiBiase of Jesusfreakhideout.com