These days can be insanely busy with everything going on. For me, there's
finals, Christmas shopping, Christmas parties, the choir Christmas concert,
and the Lord of the Rings movie coming out next week. So, I think, it's time
to slow down and enjoy some good music. This week we would like to share one
of our picks for Christmas gifts this year, although it did not make our
GiftList 2003 feature because we wrote it before this Jars CD hit stores. It
is truly an amazing work of art, even for those who are not fond of their
latest type of music.

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WHO WE ARE INSTEAD - JARS OF CLAY (2003)
by Rick Foux

When referring to Jars of Clay fandom, you generally fall into one of three
factions. First there are the Progressives, who believe that the band breaks
intellectual ground, lyrically and musically, with each new album. On the
opposing side we have the Regressives. These individuals believe that the
world will officially end before Jars releases a better album than their
self-titled debut. Last but not least there is the group to which I belong,
the Aggressives. Our train of thought is that the best Jars of Clay album
(Much Afraid, in my case) lies somewhere between the band's debut and
whatever their latest release is, and we get ticked off at the other two
factions for not realizing it. The only thing these three factions have in
common is that they're all still devoted Jars of Clay fans. That is, until
now. The band's fifth studio release, Who We Are Instead finally draws the
battle lines: either you're loyal or you aren't. Choose your side.

If you're pondering what sparked the sudden civil war, it'd be to your
advantage to know that most of the new material (especially "Lesser Things")
was inspired by the late Johnny Cash. You see, there's a fine line between
folk and country music, and Jars boldly ventures over it. Not too far, mind
you, but you should at least know that the steel guitar is present. That's
right, the cursed instrument that makes its presence known in songs about
bars and ex-wives shows up predominantly in "Faith Enough," a mild-mannered
lament based on a quote from A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway.
Luckily, Ben Mize of Counting Crows fame steps in on drums (on "Sunny Days"
and "Sing" as well), and his guest performance is enough to save the song
from borderline mediocrity. Thankfully, "Faith Enough" is probably as
southern as it gets; the majority of the remaining twelve tracks are
masterfully equipped with strong acoustic performances all around and a
greater emphasis on pushing Jars of Clay's folk roots. Prime example:
"Trouble Is," a jittery bluegrass romp similar to cuts from the O Brother,
Where Art Thou soundtrack. Upon first impression, it easily wins listeners
courtesy of an energetic drum loop, but the real winner here is Kenny Meeks,
who plays a more than decent mandolin and provides background vocals. It's a
shame that "Trouble Is" is the only cameo he makes on the entire disc, but
Jars invites guest artist Ashley Cleveland to assist them on the
spirit-rejuvenating cut "Amazing Grace" as well as "Jealous Kind,"
undoubtedly one of the best Jars of Clay songs ever recorded. Steve Mason
returns on the infamous steel guitar, but it's fortunately been muzzled to
make way for Charlie Lowell's alluring piano recital. Haseltine's lulling
vocals glide along smoothly, laying down lines about the unfaithfulness of
the human race, until a Savage Garden-like interlude leads into an animated
outbreak of the chorus, Gospel style. While Cleveland plays a bit part here,
her raspy effect on the track's final thirty seconds is overall pleasant and
warming. Finally, if you're reading this thinking, "Where's the Jars of Clay
I used to know and love?" then fear not: remnants of the band's trademark
sound are found on the disc's first single "Show You Love," "Sing," a
pop-infused celebration containing a killer bass line, and the not-home-yet
realization "My Heavenly," in which Lowell once again lets his brilliance
shine from the piano.

Any longtime followers of Jars know that the band rarely comes up short on
purposeful lyrics, and Who We Are Instead is no exception. While it may seem
like a catch-all solution, deeper listening brings to mind the underlying
themes of grace ("Amazing Grace," "Lesser Things") and, moreover, love. The
theme of love itself is presented in several variations – first in "Only
Alive," as Christ's love for us is presented as an allusion to a wedding:
"So put me in the river / and let me say 'I do.'" Love is also incarnated as
a human emotion during "I'm in the Way," except it's bundled with caring and
compassion: "If you think that hope was left behind / I picked it up a mile
ago / And I am running close behind / so don't give up and don't let go."
Finally, in "Sing," we experience love the way it's meant to be: uninhibited
praise and adoration towards God. That's not at all the last we hear about
love on Who We Are Instead, but its presence is revealed more lightheartedly
through the catchy "Sunny Days," the rally cry of "Show You Love," and the
delicate refrain "Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet," a dedication "to our
brothers and sisters in Africa, who, though they suffer, overwhelm us with
their life and their joy." At first it might seem unoriginal since it's
essentially the same one or two lines repeated over and over, but the truth
contained in those verses is so vital to our lives that you can't help but
be moved by them. In fact, if there's merely one message that the band
wished to convey through this record, it would have to be that Jesus's blood
never failed us yet, and it never will.

How does Who We Are Instead fare amongst the three factions? For the
Progressives, its undoubtedly the best Jars of Clay album yet. To the
Regressives, mostly rock/pop purists, it's a letdown that should never have
been allowed to leave the studio. And to the Aggressives, well…there's no
telling. From an unbiased standpoint, however, Who We Are Instead is a
delight to the ears. The artistry is leaps and bounds above The Eleventh
Hour, and the old school Caedmon's Call sound suits the band well. Be warned
though: it's not a rocker, and fans looking for Jars to come full circle
with this release will have to wait a little longer. Even still, it would be
a mistake not to pick this one up.

Read more about Jars of Clay at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/jarsofclay

Check out Christmas Gift Guide:
http://cMusicWeb.com/features/giftlist2003


OTHER NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

Review: Deck the Halls, Bruise Your Hand - Relient K
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/relientk/deckthehallsbruiseyourhand.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

PURCHASE THIS MUSIC AND MORE AT GRASSROOTSMUSIC.COM:
http://www.grassrootsmusic.com/?associateid=249

MARVELOUS THINGS EP - EISLEY
With the release of their second EP, the only main problem is that they do
not have an LP with their name. But, after hearing their debut EP, Laughing
City, I am just happy to have new music from this stunning new band. Girl
rock power all the way for this PICK OF THE WEEK.


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