Kutless
Sea of Faces
BEC/Tooth and Nail
38:14 TRT

The new release from this Portland, OR band is getting a lot of positive buzz and deservedly so. Not only are they excellent musicians but more importantly Kutless is not afraid to let His light shine through their lyrics.

With its thunderous open, the current single "Not What You See" has the lyric "His words were to be a servant to all." One of my favorite tracks is "Better for You." With a tempo change, the song is about the loss of accepting the pleasures of this world, "It all seems backwards in my head." The song seems to be inspired by Matthew 5: 3-9 & 16: 24-26 as Jesus turns the standards of this world upside down.

Kutless takes a melodic turn on the title track with a chorus based on the Last Supper. I could see the chorus becoming a modern worship staple. Fans of P.O.D. will feel at home with "Let Me In" with its Sonny-stylized vocals on the chorus and a brief rap. I know it's not the group's intent but I tend to chuckle at barked lyrics.

"Passion" is filled with irony as the image of Christ's pierced hands, split brow and face writhing in pain can actually be comforting. "Treason," with its industrial rock edge, is about how Christ has turned a "traitor into kin."

Powerful stuff. Let's pray the band stays on this lyrical track. Kutless proves you can rock out and lift up Jesus at the same time. Don't be surprised when this record receives a Dove nomination.

- Rob S.