ALBUM REVIEW / POP

*** Jars of Clay, “Much Afraid,” Silvertone/Essential. Following up its hit 1996 debut, this Nashville-based quartet again shows why you don’t have to share its Christian faith to appreciate the appeal: Their spirituality is rooted in longing and seeking, not knowing and preaching, and they write dang catchy songs. Though the ballads get drippy, the richly harmonic, R.E.M.-meets-Dave Matthews alternative Southern sound of such upbeat selections as “Crazy Times” is instantly winning.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four stars (excellent).