Who We Are Instead

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Who We Are Instead
Joc6.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 4, 2003
Recorded2003
StudioEast Iris Studios, Nashville, Tennessee; Sputnik Sound, Nashville, Tennessee
Genre Christian rock, folk rock
Length51:02
Label Essential
Producer Jars of Clay, Mitch Dane, Ron Aniello
Jars of Clay chronology
Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage
(2003)
Who We Are Instead
(2003)
Roots & Wings
(2005)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Christianity Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [2]
Cross Rhythms Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [3]
Jesus Freak HideoutStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [4]

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

Contents

Representing their most acoustic-based since their first disc, Who We Are Instead is the band's 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.

It is the band's only full-length studio album not to be nominated by either GMA Dove Awards or Grammy Awards.[ not verified in body ]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Stephen Mason and Matt Odmark, unless otherwise noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
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" (featuring Kenny Meeks)
  • Dan Haseltine
  • Charlie Lowell
  • Stephen Mason
  • Matt Odmark
  • Aaron Sands
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)Gavin Bryars3:39
11."Jealous Kind" (featuring Ashley Cleveland) 4:10
12."Sing" 4:11
13."My Heavenly" 3:29
Total length:51:02
Special edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
1."Tonight"3:42
2."Shipwrecked"2:58
Total length:57:42

Personnel

Jars of Clay

Additional musicians

Production

Charts

Chart (2003)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 103

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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