It Is Well - Kutless

Christian alternative band Kutless have been playing their music for nearly a decade now, receiving critical success and collecting a devoted fan base for their hard rock, but faith filled music. And while their songs have been primarily focused on a harder genre, their 2005 release “Strong Tower” moved into a praise and worship feel, with remakes of classics like “Better Is One Day” and “We Fall Down.” Now, two regular albums and four years later, they return to this career-selling effort’s foundation, and create another upbeat, and voice raising project that should full-fill expectations, even if it doesn’t live up to it’s predecessor fully.

Like the first, “It Is Well” features both old and new tunes, from the rocking version of the beloved hymn from which comes the title, to the softness of the lead single “What Faith Can Do”, this is a project that will appeal to listeners of about any style in Christian music. “Amazed” starts listeners off with an Aaron Shust sounding style of praise, and continues this theme throughout a good portion of the running time. From the familiar “Hungry” to the soul moving finale “I’m Still Yours,” this record keeps things simple lyrically and musically, and it adds to the effect of the album’s main purpose: lifting people up into worship, whether it’s riding in the car on the way to work, or in a church service on Sunday, if it accomplishes that goal, they have succeeded.

But, while this all sounds good so far, there are some maybe not-so-serious, but apparent negatives here also. Songs like “Taken By Love” may sound good on the outside, but when you really listen to the words, there is nothing really new about it. I know, like I said, they are trying to keep things simple. But good music and simplicity are two rather different things. “You Save Me” is the same way, plenty of nice production, in the end the lyrics are dry and don’t find their defining moment that people will be waiting for. All in all, this record takes the same ingredients from “Strong Tower,” but doesn’t quite find the same strength, which the latter found so well. So, for die hard Kutless fans, this could be a worthy addition to your library. But otherwise, even thought this is some nice CCM ear candy, most listeners won’t be left with enough after the CD finishes up. ~ Christian Lingner

3 of 5 stars