Louder Than The Music

Grammy and Dove Awards winning band Jars of Clay have released their eleventh studio album, 'Inland' this week. Produced by Tucker Martine (My Morning Jacket, Beth Orton, The Decemberists) and mixed by Beau Sorenson and Jacquire King, 'Inland' marks Jars of Clay's first independent release following years on labels.

It's been nearly twenty years since Dan Haseltine, Steve Mason, Charlie Lowell and Matthew Odmark released their debut 'Frail'. Students at the time, Jars of Clay once again harness the youthful ambition and uninhibited creativity of their beginnings for 'Inland', while cultivating a maturity in sound with embellishments of violin, horns and ambient melodies that attests two decades of experience.

"These are songs for the ordinary days - when life is weighty and uncertain," reflects Matthew Odmark. "It is this middle space that we have inhabited over the years. It's where you and I do the gritty work of actually living."

The album's first single and upcoming video, 'After The Fight', featuring the atmospheric guitar textures of Adrian Belew, has a low-key swagger that brings to mind the intergalactic art rock of Bowie and Peter Murphy. "We asked Adrian Belew if he'd come in and work his magic," explains Dan Haseltine. "He produced two songs on our first record, but we were too intimidated to let him play guitar. This time he added his big, wild, twanging guitar sound, the reverse solos and all the other effects he's famous for."

"We've had enough experience with record labels working a project because they have to," says Haseltine. "Everyone we work with loves the record and wants to help us build something as a band with a big creative vision."

Jars of Clay is currently on tour, playing new music from 'Inland' and fan favorites spanning the band's repertoire that includes 16 No. 1 songs.