Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 2001 - Multi-Platinum, multi-GRAMMY and Dove Award winning band Jars of Clay prepares to launch its first new album in almost two-and-a-half years. The recording marks a return to their roots as Jars of Clay members self-produce the album, as well as write, perform, conceptualize, design, direct and film for the project. Entitled The Eleventh Hour, the highly anticipated new recording bows March 5.

Having produced their double-Platinum breakthrough and self-titled debut recording in 1995 that spawned the mega-hit "Flood," Jars of Clay returns to their creative roots, writing and performing the music, all while simultaneously self-producing the new album. Band members began their new creative venture by building their own studio in Nashville, Sputnik Studios.

"We learned a great deal from the talented producers we worked with over the last seven years," says band member Matt Odmark, "and with this record we felt we were ready to make a record without filtering our ideas and molding our music into somebody else's vision."

"It is time to get back to the root of what makes Jars of Clay," agrees band member Charlie Lowell. "It feels very similar to the spirit of the first record, only mixed with a bigger plate of life experience and musical knowledge."

In addition to production credits, the band also drove several other responsibilities often left to the label, including directing the artwork for the album packaging. In fact, group members photographed The Eleventh Hour's conceptual cover, as well as all the concept photos used in the recording's packaging. The band also spearheaded the majority of their publicity photo shoot, taking Polaroid photos at multiple locations in the band's hometown of Nashville. Further, band members directed and produced an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) that will be serviced to media.

Besides their collective creativity, Jars of Clay members enlisted Jack Joseph Puig to mix the recording at Ocean Way Studios in Hollywood. Puig's producing, engineering and mixing credits include Black Crowes, Jellyfish, Green Day, No Doubt, Barbra Streisand, Collective Soul, Better Than Ezra, etc. In addition, the album was mastered by Bob Ludwig, a legend in the industry who has worked with artists such as Paul Simon, the Goo Goo Dolls, Eric Clapton, and Sheryl Crow.

The first radio single from the recording, the transparent anthem "I Need You," in its first week at radio has already been named Most Added on both the CHR and Adult Contemporary charts (The CCM Update). A perennial fan, critic and radio favorite, Jars of Clay's new single follows a string of 13 No. 1 songs released by the band, album sales of over five million units, and numerous awards and accolades along the way.

The Eleventh Hour from Essential/Silvertone Records artist Jars of Clay follows the current critically acclaimed, RIAA certified Gold and GRAMMY Award winning recording, If I Left the Zoo. More information on Jars of Clay may be found at www.jarsofclay.com, www.essentialrecords.com and www.jiverecords.com.

Nashville-based Essential Records was founded in 1992 and specializes in providing relevant pop, alternative and modern music. In addition to Jars of Clay, the label's artist roster includes Third Day, FFH, Caedmon's Call and True Vibe. Essential Records, and its affiliated label, Watershed Records, are distributed through Provident Music Distribution and through partnerships with parent company Zomba Music Group.