Jars of Clay: Who We Are Instead
Title: Who We Are Instead
Category: Alternative Rock
Artist/Group: Jars of Clay
Rating: 4 / 5
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I've been a Jars of Clay fan since the first time I heard their self-titled debut album back in 1995. I was intoxicated by the blend of folksy tunes set upon a foundation of drum-machine produced beats. And while their sound is what grabbed my attention, the true reward was the lyrics. Though simple enough to be accessible, each track exhibited a quality of craftsmanship not often heard in Christian music.
The band's sound has evolved over the years, and not necessarily (I feel) for the better. They've experimented with and harnessed many interesting techniques and styles, but I find myself yearning for the freshness and excitement of their debut offering. That said, Jars of Clay continues to produce thought-provoking, uniquely polished songs, as evidenced by their most recent release, Who We are Instead.
I find that Jars of Clay expresses beautifully the inherent mysteries and ironies of Christianity. On "Amazing Grace," Jars speaks of the "faith of an empty hand." And when you think about it, what simpler way is there to explain faith but to say that the one who has nothing depends on the one with everything? Later in the same song, Jars uses the example of a murderer, "I needed water to rinse these stains/ But only blood could remove what's spillin'." Concise, clear, and untouched by cliché.
On "Trouble Is," Jars summarizes with a single phrase the battle Christians fight against worldliness, "Man, the trouble is/ We don't know who we are instead." That's really what it all comes down to; it's a matter of identification.
Who We are Instead might not break any new ground, but it is a solid, contemplative album. It's more than just a collection of songs that you sing along to and then forget about. There are insights in pretty much any Jars of Clay song that can be appreciated and chewed on.
Edwin
Yang
02.08.03
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