Pretty good!| Posted August 30, 2008
The album was surprisingly way better than the last one, but lacked the freshness of the first 2 albums. Their self titled debut still remains their best effort to date, but the new album will surely please every fan. As I have seen it pleasing me :D
amzing meanings| Posted August 29, 2008
I bought this cd like a week ago.its amazing.when i first heard the diseas and the cure i loved it.the beat was rockish and the lyrics had a good meaning.guiding me home is also a good one i love every song in here and every meaning too.
Hey- Hey--Hey Hey| Posted August 12, 2008
The little Hey-Hey i have as my title to this review comes from the first song of this album titled "To Know That You're Alive" and the song is titled "The Feeling" which by the way is great way to open a great album. This album is my first from Kutless. I've always liked their radio singles which is how i got to know a bit of their style and music but this is the first time i decided to buy an album from them and this album is great! You have a nice mix of rock songs and ballads. Every song on this album is great in its own way. Although i'm not sure they should've added the musical number in this album. Thats #2 titled "Sleeping City", but the rest of the album is great. My very favorite songs on this album are "Complete", "The Feeling", and "I Do Not Belong" which has great lyrics and awesome music. I really enjoyed this album and am glad that I bought it and look forward to purchasing more music from Kutless. This is one you should have in you're music library especially rock music fans!
great album| Posted August 10, 2008
This Cd was great. I heard of it on the iTunes Store. Then, i picked it up at kingdom bound. I love every track. My favorites would be "The Feeling" and "To Know That You're Alive." Can't wait to see Kutless at Creation Festival!!!!!
Still Alive, But Not Quite Livin'| Posted July 02, 2008
Kutless's latest release has a decent sound, accompanied by good lyrics. There's no doubt about it: they rock. I'd recommend this album for newer Kutless fans. If you enjoyed Hearts of the Innocent, then you'll love this.
Many of us older fans, however, will be disappointed. The album lacks the creativity of the first two albums. Kutless had an inventive sound, but it has now blended with the stereotypical Rock. Why would I want to hear a sound that a thousand other bands have? It's a good sound, it's just not special.
So what are you looking for? If you want a band that rocks hard in worshiping God, then buy the CD. If you want a unique sound with raw talent, check out Sea of Faces or their self-entitles debut instead.
amazing cd| Posted June 29, 2008
All i have to say is "WOW" this cd is awesome. I think its the best one ever... If u like rock, get ur butt off the couch and go the store and support ur kutless, cause its a amazing cd...
[Buy CD]
[To Know That You're Alive] Kutless
To Know That You're Alive �(BEC Recordings)
Released June 2008
By Russ Breimeier
Sounds like … Nickelback, Jeremy Camp, Daughtry, Red, Disciple, and Skillet with the occasional pop ballad amid the band's heavy-but-melodic rock style.
At a glance … the sixth major release from Kutless finally shows some signs of development in the band's sound and songwriting, but they still demonstrate a tendency toward overused Christian rock themes and formulas.
Track Listing
1. The Feeling
2. Sleeping City
3. To Know That You're Alive
4. The Disease and the Cure
5. Complete
6. The Rescue
7. Promise You
8. Guiding Me Home
9. Overcoming Me
10. I Do Not Belong
11. Loud
12. Dying to Become
13. You �
Contrary to what some of the band's most dedicated fans believe, Christian Music Today has given generally favorable reviews to Kutless (their flimsy worship album notwithstanding). Steeped in post-grunge pop-metal back when it was all the rage, this band has still remained highly popular, having sold 1.5 million albums since their 2002 debut. But then, the problem with Kutless has never been a matter of sounding good. Much like Nickelback, the band's polished rock style has become passé in six years time. Is it too much to expect some growth from Kutless?
Interestingly enough, Kutless also thinks they're ready for growth. In a letter included with their press kit, the band recognizes that they've had their share of high points and mistakes in their career. Now that they're older—and presumably a little wiser—they're finally making some significant changes in an attempt to go beyond the "standard Kutless record" with their sixth major release in six years, To Know That You're Alive.
For starters, the band is now writing more songs together, rather than relying solely on lead singer Jon Micah Sumrall. New guitarist Nick DePartee brings his skills to the music, while bassist Dave Leutkenhoelter and drummer Jeff Gilbert continue to gel as a rhythm section. Additionally, Kutless has finally made the switch from longtime producer Aaron Sprinkle to a rather surprising choice: Pete Kipley, best known for his work with MercyMe and The Afters. Not exactly a guy known for helming hard rock projects, but then again, it proves a good fit considering that Kutless embraces more melody and strings on this album, even recording part of it at the famed Abbey Road Studios in London.
Never fear, fans. Alive offers some of the band's most hard-rocking material to date, such as the hard-hitting "The Disease and the Cure," a song that points to Jesus for relief from sin and temptation. "Overcoming Me" also has some serious rock drive to it, not to mention a little synth hook uncharacteristic of the band's sound.
At the same time, Kutless introduces a more melodic, mid-tempo rock feel with "Complete," an anthem of surrender delivered with piano and strings—the sort of song MercyMe and Sanctus Real would more typically perform, yet the change in feel is not unwelcome to this band's repertoire. Also, the worshipful and flowing album closer "You" is pure pop, and has more texture than the more routine acoustic ballad that typically finishes similar projects.
Kutless even shows a willingness to experiment beyond simple rock and pop conventions, with mixed results. Their instrumental "Sleeping City" hearkens back to the ambience heard on the band's 2004 release Sea of Faces, and might have been interesting and meaningful if it lasted more than a minute or were coupled with another song elsewhere on the album (and not up front). Far more promising and pleasing is "Dying to Become," which toys with newfound musicality all around, from the big effects-heavy drumming at the start to the beefy guitar solo in the middle.
If only the band were as adventurous with their songwriting, the one area where Kutless still sounds like a novice fresh off the youth group tour circuit, relying on simplistic themes and phrasing that has grown formulaic in Christian rock. If it weren't for the strings underscoring their sound, "The Rescue" is the sort of post-grunge power ballad about crying out to a Savior that we've heard time and again on CHR stations for the last five years. Their equally melodic power ballad "Guiding Me Home" is also a bit too familiar and clichéd sounding in its expression of comfort and direction through Jesus. On the other end of the spectrum, "Loud" is the usual "how can we be silent" rocker, while "The Feeling" is a two-minute throwaway that's little more than a "let's get together and rock" show opener.
Two other songs contrast where Kutless falls short and where they excel. The title track is meant as an encouraging rock ballad about appreciating what God has given us as we endure life's trials, but the song's limited scope only offers empathy for pain without ever introducing the intended theme of thankfulness. Contrast that with the far more effective "Promise You," a powerful anthem about overcoming domestic abuse. This song explores the subject with themes of empowerment and forgiveness, relating the hurts without sounding bitter and pointing victims to Jesus without sounding trite.�
There are certainly some glimpses of growth here, but the band's slight modifications fail to amount to significant change. In the few places where the stylistic shifts are most noticeable, it's as if Kutless has stopped emulating their past work, only to resemble what peers like Red, Skillet, and Disciple have been doing for years. At least Kutless recognizes the need for change, and makes some good moves with To Know That You're Alive. Even so, true growth should be reflected more in songwriting than production.
i don't see why Jesus Freak Hideout hates this band.| Posted June 24, 2008
As a Kutless fan I really enjoyed this album. It is much heavier than Hearts of the Innocent. Even some of the ballads on this album have a heavier feel to them. Another great album from, in my opinion, a great band.
Kutless| Posted June 24, 2008
I love the mix of worship and rock with every Kutless album and they have lived up to their name with this new release! It is also a plus to know and hear the Biblical references in the lyrics instead of hiding it deep within songs, which some bands try to do.
Cannot wait to see them at the next concert in my area to hear these songs live...
I love it!!| Posted June 23, 2008
I also got my copy of the cd today, and I'm so happy, because its awesome. I think the guys did a really awesome job with this record, the lyrics are great and vocals awesome. I really liked the variety of slow and rocky songs! my fav. songs are "The Feeling", "The Disease & The Cure", "Complete" just to name a few. Overall I really like the cd. Good Job Kutless!
to add lyrics if not listed.
