For years, one of rocks radio's unwritten rules was that Christian music would never break through on mainstream airwaves.

Amy Grant pioneered change.

But it was Christian rockers Jars of Clay who truly brought the revolution.

On Sunday night, the extremely successful band gave Springfield a taste of how they turned the trick.

More than 1,200 fans were on hand to hear Jars of Clay at the Paramount Theater, a site that has played host to a dwindling number of concerts during the latter half of the 1990's. But the group and its exuberant fans reawakened the old venue with a blast of alternative-flavored pop, at time reminiscent of acts like Toad the Wet Sprocket and Live.

Jars of Clay's two albums, the self-titled debut and last year's follow-up, "Much Afraid," have sold a combined total of more than 2.5 million copies, the latter landing in Billboard's Top 10 and each earning steady rotation on music-video networks VH-1 and MTV.

That once would have been shocking for a Christian act. But Jars of Clay are far more in tune with what appeals to kids today than a lot of their heavy-handed, proselytizing predecessors. And they still get their message across, very, very clearly.

Sunday's 90-minute show was dominated by the band's buoyant acoustic pop, from early-set stand-outs such as "Like a Child," and "Overjoyed," to more electric fare like the explosive "Blind," and the big, slow-building gem "Worlds Apart."

Vocalist Dan Haseltine, whose style is actually evocative of the pre-disco era Barry Gibb - of all people - piloted his six member troupe through other crowd faves like "Sinking," the triumphant new single "Five Candles (You Were There)," and an over-the-top "Fade to Grey."

Thick-sounding Hammond organ textures colored a strong version of the group's breakout single, "Flood," while a swirling and crushing take of "Liquid," sparked the encore.

While Jars of Clay is far more subtle than many Christian acts, there's no denying the band's message: promoting a path toward salvation. That was especially clear during the crowd sing-a-long "Love Song For a Savior," and during the intro to "Worlds Apart," when Haseltine said, "Without Christ we're nothing." He later urged fans to "Let God love us and let God take over during the tough times.

While the 21-song set was dominated by originals, Jars of Clay did turn in a couple of playful covers including a very faithful version of Badfinger's "No Matter What," and a harmony-filled rendition of the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows."

Openers Plumb delivered a less impressive but occasionally intriguing set of Christian rock as well. Lead singer Tiffany Arbuckle's significant talent came shining through on "Penniless," and "Send Angels," though her band too often resorted to metal-like lumbering clichés.*

*Article transcribed from the Union-News, Tuesday, May 12, 1998, Springfield, MA.