There are a few artists through the years who exhibit definite growth with every single new thing they do. The Beatles, I suppose, are the top of that list. Jars of Clay, however, is fast approaching the same type of classification, at least in terms of the evolution they have achieved since "Flood" first played on every radio station in the universe.

Who We Are Instead is the next logical step in that evolution. One thing is clear; these boys that used to just write catchy songs are true artists. And that's not to say that these songs aren't catchy, because they definitely are. "Trouble is" and "Sunny Days, as well as "Amazing Grace" are certain to become favorite in this day where acoustic guitar riffs are becoming more and more popular. One thing is very, very clear, however: despite the grandness of the music, the boys didn't set out to make something immensely popular musically, so much as they set out to establish that message and art can be blended together delicately "into something beautiful."

The outcome is challenging. I'll go ahead and admit, that clever little tune, "Trouble Is" gets stuck in my head an average of about 5 or 6 times a week. It's not the music that does the sticking, so much as the message. "My wings don't sail me to the sky, on my own these wings won't fly. Jesus told me so, still I'm not sure that I know." It's an admittance of frailty and need that isn't a terrible easy thing to admit, and it hits home to me so personally every time, I can't get it out of my head.

And my other favorite... another tune superior in music as well as message, the tent-revival feeling "Jealous Kind." It's a tender ballad sung to a Savior that we know loves us deeply, but whom we somehow seem to fail more often than not. The imagery of Jesus' passion for us is clear: "You know I've been unfaithful, lovers and lies.. while you're turning over tables, with the love of a jealous kind."

I hate to focus too much on any particular song on this CD, it's so good as a whole. The boys masterfully recreate "Lonely People," originally recorded by the group America, state their need for deliverance in "Faith Enough.." but should I say something about every single song? I certainly could.

It's a journey of self-discovery set to music. Jars seems to be on it, and they invite you to get really honest and go yourself. It's a masterpiece, and a thrown gauntlet.

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