Jars of Clay is readying to release its seventh studio album Good Monsters on September 5th amid tremendous applause, the latest of which comes in the form of being named CCM Magazine’s “Album of the Year.” CCM has never bestowed this honor to any album so early in the year; however, convinced Good Monsters is a historic release for the Christian music community, the magazine decided to make the announcement immediately.

Jay Swartzendruber’s “Letter from the Editor”, states, “Jars of Clay’s new record is the landmark album of 2006. Consider that all six members of CCM’s editorial team agree that choosing Good Monsters as our ‘Album of the Year’ is a no-brainer. In fact, it’s an understatement. Practically all of us would say this is the most profound album the Christian music community has released in years.”

CCM’s September issue has dedicated seven pages to Good Monsters including the editor’s page, a five-page cover story and a full-page lead review of the album, written by veteran music journalist, Brian Quincy Newcomb. He notes, ”[Good Monsters] is unequivocally Jars’ best work yet. In fact, Good Monsters is the most intelligent, musically appealing and conceptually framed Christian album that I’ve heard in quite some time.” He tapped the album with an “A+” rating – the first the magazine has given out in several years.

Long considered a critical success, Jars of Clay has also enjoyed major commercial success over its decade-long career, including a double platinum selling debut project, and more than 5.5 million records sold in total. With Good Monsters, the band set out to capture its communal experiences and have a bit of fun with the process. The result is an outstanding collection of tunes that are engaging upon first listen, and increasingly captivating with each additional spin: rock hits, without sacrificing the intelligence and depth of Dan Haseltine’s poetic lyrical genius.

With eleven original songs, and a remake of the Julie Miller-penned anthem All My Tears, Good Monsters even boasts a couple of stirring guest appearances: Nashville-based, singer/songwriter extraordinaire Kate York guests on Even Angels Cry, and formerly of Sixpence None the Richer, Leigh Nash, sings on Mirrors and Smoke. Additionally, the African Children’s Choir is featured on the moving, Light Gives Heat.

Good Monsters, completely self-produced by the band, contains the first CCM single, Dead Man, Top 10 and on the rise at CHR radio after just 7 weeks, and is fast making it’s way up onto the AC charts as well.

This Friday, HearItFirst.ca will be featuring Good Monsters as part of this week’s premieres. If you can’t wait until then, head over to Jars Of Clay’s YMZ artist page to hear a few audio samples.