There really is no such thing as a "bad" Jars of Clay song in my personal opinion, however for the "essential" album there was definitely a marketing scheme involved that was designed to leave you to have to purchase more than the essential to actually get the "essential" Jars of Clay songs... I do recommend the doubel disc live in the studio album to truly get all the essentials you need and more.. it would be great to have it offerred here... but well, profits I guess?

Speaking as a once extreme Jars of Clay fan, I can say that most of the songs are considered "essential". ESPECIALLY "Goodbye, Goodnight" because that song, for me, is my favorite Jars of Clay song ever. I can honestly say that at one time I was in love with almost every song on the first half of the list. Even though I haven't listened to these songs in a long time, they have left an impact on me that will never be erased. With that said, I would say that the best songs over all on this list are songs 1-16. Even if the melody of the song itself doesn't do anything for you, the lyrics alone make their songs unforgettable. Their strong, heart-felt, and filled with scripture that bring a powerful message. But if you're looking for only a couple of songs, go with: Flood (of course) Liquid Fade to Grey Crazy Times and Goodbye, Goodnight If you like soft rock, you more than likely will not regret it.

I was very excited to see this album. I can undestand Essentials desire to produce one final Jars of Clay Album, they are the greatest band of our time and loosing them must be devastating to Essential. However, this is a collection of songs that ommits many of their greatest tunes, and does not offer us anything new. I love the Cofee Song, but the Seatbelt Tuba version sounded out of place among the other tunes. I am gald to have this album, as it is a great compilation of Jars of Clay Music, but Essential is not a word I would use to describe it. Good for new fans, or those who don't want to buy all of their older albums.

this is an amazing list of some of the best jars of clay songs out there, but by far new math and goodbye, goodnight are the best songs. be sure to buy them!

It is a shame that Jars has left essential records, but, luckily, essential didn't give us a weak 10-15 song "best of album." Still, it is almost impossible to capture the range of music that JOC produced. Just reading these reviews, you can tell how many favorites were left off, which is a testament to JOC's success. The first CD is the highpoint, with 4 songs from each of their first 4 cds; and that still leaves off fan favorites such as "Faith Like a Child," "Collide," and "I'm Alright." Some of my personal favorites, such as "Portrait of an Apology," "Ordinary Days," and "Art in Me" are left off as well. Still, it was a treat to get the two extras, "The Coffee Song" and "New Math," which newer fans can't get ahold of otherwise. For the second CD, I have to say that Redemption Songs deserved atleast one more song, perhaps "I'll Fly Away" or "Nothing but the Blood." I wasn't too thrilled at first, but by including "Tonight" and "Shipwrecked," Essential allows fans who don't have online music to get a hard copy (As both came as part of the digital only - Roots and Wings EP). My favorite album, Who We Are Instead, is missing the very successful "Show You Love," but I am glad to see "Faith Enough," which is so strong lyrically, and "Jealous Kind," which packs so much emotion in the music. Good Monsters is mostly well represented, with the two hits "Work" and "Dead Man," and the powerful "Oh My God." I was surprised to see "Mirrors and Smoke," but its inclusion really shows the variety of styles that JOC has tried out. Finally, we have the single additions. I had never heard the "Widowing Field," and it really doesn't impress or disappoint, but I am glad to now own it. "Little Drummer Boy" would seem obsolete with the upcoming Christmas album, but Essential won't make money off that, and it is certainly a good enough song to have on this cd. Finally, "This Road" and "Bethlehem Town" make an appearance from the City on a Hill projects; "This Road" in particular is strong. The beauty of this CD is that if you had never listened to a Jars CD, this would be amazing...and yet still not be enough to represent their work. Radio hits such as "Faith Like a Child," "Waiting for the World to Fall," and "Show You Love" don't make it, yet for big fans, this shouldn't be a problem anyway. If you havn't listened to Jars of Clay before, buy this album. If you are a Jars of Clay fan, buy this album and introduce someone else to this great music.

I believe that it's truly impossible to create a Jars of Clay hits album. Basically you just have to buy all of their CDs. I have all of their full length LPs and many of the EPs and B-Sides collections and still have only run into about 3 songs that I wouldn't give a five star rating to. I am really glad to see some of the songs that have made it here. These include (but are not limited to): Worlds Apart, Fade to Grey, Silence, Dig, Faith Enough and The Widowing Field (oh how I wish I could buy that track...too bad I already have every other single track being offered). I'm disappointed though, about several of my favorites that are missing. These include: Like A Child, He, Overjoyed, Frail, Collide, the Edge of Water, The Valley Song, Show You Love, My Heavenly, On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand, and many others I could continue naming. Basically, this is a decent collection of Jars songs, but by buying this you miss out on a lot of great tracks. My advice is to save up your money and buy the CDs individually. If you like what you hear in these samples, you'll like most of the rest of what Jars has to offer. Give them a shot.

I don't know how songs like "Goodbye, Goodnight", "Can't Erase It", "Coffee Song", "New Math", "Tonight", "Shipwrecked", "Mirrors & Smoke", and "The Widowing Field", among many others are considered to be "essential" Jars of Clay, while great songs like "Show You Love", "Like A Child", "Overjoyed", "Collide", and "I'll Fly Away" are missing.

I don't need to buy this, I already own all the albums, but why did they leave out Frail? From a band known for rehashing old songs anew, Frail is the one they've done FOUR different ways...is it just too inaccessable to the casual listener (if that's the case then Oh My God has no place on this record)? I always kind of felt that this was their signature song...hmm. Since they're also digging into a lot of b-side stuff here I would have to seen He (Acoustic), it's not available anymore and I personally find it their best track, if you haven't heard it, find it. Other than that this is a steal at $16.99...especially you still only own their debut. With Wilco and Death Cab finally getting some due, Jars is now atop the pedestal of "Most Under-appreciated Band of the Last 10 Years"

I am overjoyed to find in this pretty predictable greatest hits collection the one song that totally captures everything the band is about -- The Coffee Song. Featuring guitarist Steve Mason's famous John Lennon impression. All hail caffeine addiction!

Jars of Clay is a perfect example of a true Christian Rock Band!!!! If u dont want to spend $16.99 on this whole CD then there are a few better songs than others.... like... Flood Liquid Work Dead Man (Carry Me) There are also many other great songs but those 4 are the best.