A One Line Review for Who We Are Instead.

Jars of Clay has crafted an album with musical and lyrical depth which surpasses much of today's contemporary music...and is one of their finest pieces of work.

Another advance for Jars

This CD is even better than the self titled release. For anyone who was disapointed with the 11th hour, this CD takes away all the pain. It's unique with its great blend of techniques with a tiny bit of bluegrass flair (please, no one be turned off by this, I did not say that it is twangy) The messages are as good as ever, just look at the lyrics to "jealous kind". This is a truly unique and beautiful cd. Jars has advanced and there isn't a song on it that isn't worthwhile.

Who is this masquerading as Jars?

I bought this album sight unseen (sound unheard?), I owned all four of Jars' previous albums, and while I believed they had faltered somewhat with Eleventh Hour, I felt that Jars was incapable of producing a bad album. I stand corrected; this album is practically unlistenable, save the unfortunately brief "I'm in the Way". Who are these people, and what have they done with Jars of Clay? I have long considered Much Afraid one of the best albums in my collection, but it has been all downhill since then. If I Left the Zoo was an excellent effort, and Eleventh Hour has several good cuts, but all Who we are Instead has to offer is some horrendous country/folk stylings. Unfortunately, this trend doesn't show signs of reversing any time soon, and this, coupled with the disbanding of Sixpence None the Richer, leaves me with little reason to listen to any "Christian" music. Pity.