Who We Are Instead (2003)
Who We Are Instead is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Jars of Clay, released on November 4, 2003 by Essential Records/Provident Music Group.
The band along with Mitch Dane produced the majority of the album and Ron Aniello produced four tracks. Aniello had previously produced Lifehouse's 2000 debut album No Name Face featuring their mainstream pop hit "Hanging By a Moment." It is Jars of Clay's second release of 2003, as they have released their two disc part studio-part live album Furthermore earlier back in February.
Who We Are Instead is the most acoustic folk pop sounding release since their debut album Jars of Clay. 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 Stephen Mason proved to be rather versatile on this album, with several songs featuring him either on the lap steel guitar or mandolin.
The lead single, "Show You Love,"centers on unconditional love, devotion, and stepping out in faith ("walk across an angry sea") as the "cost of being free." "Sunny Days" is the second single. The first recording of the song during the album's sessions was produced by the band, while the version that ended up on the album was produced by Aniello. Jars of Clay also covers two songs: "Lonely People," originally recorded by America, co-written by co-founder and later Christian music vocalist Dan Peek and the 1971 Gavin Bryars composition "Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet." The band also recorded an original track titled "Amazing Grace," but not to be confused with the well-known John Newton hymn. Grammy winning vocalist Ashley Cleveland provided backing vocals on "Amazing Grace" and "Jealous Kind."
Who We Are Instead debuted and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums and at No. 103 on the Billboard 200. In 2005, "Show You Love" was nominated for a Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.
A special two disc edition of Who We Are Instead was also released. The second disc contains two bonus tracks: "Tonight" and "Shipwrecked." Both tracks were B-sides recorded during the Who We Are Instead sessions. They later appeared in the extended play release Roots & Wings, which served as a precursor to their next studio album Redemption Songs. The second disc is also an enhanced CD, which includes behind-the-scenes interviews, the self-produced music video for "Show You Love," screensavers, buddy icons, wallpapers, slide show and a 'create your own fan site' tool kit.
NOTE: "Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet" was originally based on a loop of an unknown homeless man singing a brief improvised stanza. The band first listened to the 72 minute loop and they later included their recording of it for Who We Are Instead. Jars of Clay wrote in the CD liner notes about the composition:
"The contrast of one so lowly expressing such certain and simple faith was and continues to be nothing short of astounding. The power of Gavin's recording is a testimony to one of this world's most profound and sacred mysteries: though they suffer... they have joy. Through our recent work with Blood:Water Mission we have been privileged to witness afresh this holy mystery. We dedicated this song and its proceeds to our brothers and sisters in Africa who, though they suffer, overwhelm us with their life and their joy."
Track listing
All songs written by Jars of Clay, except where noted.
1. Sunny Days -3:31
2. Amazing Grace -5:19
3. Lonely People (Dan Peek, Cathy Peek) -2:46
4. Only Alive -4:05
5. Trouble Is (Jars of Clay, Aaron Sands) -3:51
6. Faith Enough -5:25
7. Show You Love -3:34
8. Lesser Things -4:37
9. I'm In the Way -2:34
10. Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet (composed by Gavin Bryars; arranged by
Jars of Clay) -3:40
11. Jealous Kind -4:11
12. Sing -4:11
13. My Heavenly -3:30
Personnel
Jars of Clay:
Dan Haseltine -lead vocals, percussion
Charlie Lowell -keyboards, organ, accordion, backing vocals
Stephen Mason -lap steel and pedal steel guitar, National guitar, guitars,
mandolin, backing vocals
Matt Odmark -acosutic guitar, banjo, backing vocals
additional musicians:
Ashley Cleveland -backing vocals on tracks 2 and 11
Kenny Meeks -mandolin and backing vocals on track 5
Aaron Sands -bass guitar (tracks 1, 6, 7 and 12)
Ken Coomer -drums (tracks 1, 2, 8 and 9)
Ben Mize -drums (tracks 1, 6 and 12)
Chris McHugh -drums on track 7
John Catchings -cello (tracks 1, 4, 8, 10 and 11)
Production credits
Jars of Clay and Mitch Dane -producers (tracks 2 -5, 8 -11 and 13)
Ron Aniello -producer (tracks 1, 6, 7 and 12)
Radio singles
2003 -2004 "Show You Love" -#6 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, -#6 Billboard
Christian Airplay, -#7 Billboard Christian AC Airplay, -#1 R&R Christian CHR for
4 weeks, -#5 R&R Christian AC
2004 "Sunny Days" -#29 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, -#29 Billboard Christian
Airplay, -#30 Billboard Christian AC Airplay, -#9 R&R Christian CHR, -#17 R&R
Christian AC
Previous release: Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage (2003)
Next release: Roots & Wings (EP) (2005)
Watch the music video of "Show You Love" here:
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