Who We Are Instead

Who We Are Instead
Studio album by Jars of Clay
Released November 4, 2003
Recorded 2003
Genre Christian rock, folk rock
Length 51:01
Label Essential
Producer Jars of Clay, Ron Aniello
Jars of Clay chronology

Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage
(2003)
Who We Are Instead
(2003)
Roots & Wings
(2005)
Singles from Who We Are Instead
  1. "Show You Love"
    Released: October 14, 2003
  2. "Sunny Days"
    Released: 2004
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]
Christianity Today [2]
Cross Rhythms [3]
Jesus Freak Hideout [4]

Who We Are Instead is the sixth full-length studio album recorded by Christian rock band Jars of Clay. It was released in 2003 by Essential Records.

Representing their most acoustic-based since their first disc, Who We Are Instead is their most relaxed-sounding material to date. The stripped-down sound accompanied a more direct focus on their spirituality, with Gospel influences apparent in some of the songs and the names of God and Jesus being more explicitly mentioned throughout the disc. Guitarist Steve Mason proved to be rather versatile on this album, with several songs featuring either the lap steel or mandolin.

The songs "Show You Love" and "Sunny Days", two of the more upbeat songs on a generally contemplative and reflective album, were released as singles.

The album features two covers: The 1974 song "Lonely People" by America, and the 1971 composition "Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet" by Gavin Bryars. The song "Amazing Grace" is not a cover of the popular hymn, but rather an original song written by the band.

Track listing

Standard release

  1. "Sunny Days" - 3:30
  2. "Amazing Grace" (featuring Ashley Cleveland) - 5:18
  3. "Lonely People" (America cover) - 2:45
  4. "Only Alive" - 4:04
  5. "Trouble Is" - 3:50
  6. "Faith Enough" - 5:24
  7. "Show You Love" - 3:33
  8. "Lesser Things" - 4:36
  9. "I'm In The Way" - 2:33
  10. "Jesus Blood Never Failed Me Yet" (Gavin Bryars cover) - 3:39
  11. "Jealous Kind" (featuring Ashley Cleveland) - 4:10
  12. "Sing" - 4:11
  13. "My Heavenly" - 3:29

Special edition track listing

Disc One

  1. "Sunny Days" - 3:30
  2. "Amazing Grace" (featuring Ashley Cleveland) - 5:18
  3. "Lonely People" - 2:45
  4. "Only Alive" - 4:04
  5. "Trouble Is" - 3:50
  6. "Faith Enough" - 5:24
  7. "Show You Love" - 3:33
  8. "Lesser Things" - 4:36
  9. "I'm In The Way" - 2:33
  10. "Jesus Blood Never Failed Me Yet" - 3:39
  11. "Jealous Kind" (featuring Ashley Cleveland) - 4:10
  12. "Sing" - 4:11
  13. "My Heavenly" - 3:29

Disc Two

  1. "Tonight" - 3:42
  2. "Shipwrecked" - 2:58

Performers

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Charts

Release Year The Billboard 200 Chart Position
2003 103

References

  1. Allmusic review
  2. Christianity Today review
  3. Cummings, Tony (January 2004). "Jars Of Clay - Who We Are Instead". Cross Rhythms (78).
  4. Jesus Freak Hideout review