Now, FTJ is back with a second CD on the independent Marathon Records label which eclipses the band's promising debut. Grace and Dire Circumstances picks up the eighties college rock vibe of "Echoes...," but decreases the prog-rock element considerably. The production is clear and light, and the songs are varied in tempo, feel, instrumentation, and subject matter.
Elements of The Church, Simple Minds, U2 and heavy doses of The Choir (including a cover of the classic Chase the Kangaroo) all blend into FTJ's sound. The lyrics are balanced artfully between opaque, poetic references and obvious statements of faith.
Vocalist Brant Hansen takes the straight-up and strong position with his pipes, as opposed to much of the over-"effect"-ed and over-screamed vocals so common to modern rock.
The end result is a package that is current enough to appeal to mod-rock fans, classic enough to appeal to the oldies and smooth enough to win over throngs of Jars of Clay fans. Grace and Dire Circumstances is a top-notch project that deserves major attention.
