It Is Well is the follow-up album to the biggest/strongest worship release Kutless has yet put out, Strong Tower. The new worship project, It Is Well, is a perfect blend of well-known worship songs mixed in with some fresh new originals. The heart of worship is something the band as a whole is very intune with and love bringing that to the forefront, sharing and coming together as one to give glory to God. With the new album, the audience will be able to sing along to the classics as well as add some new favorites into their time of worship.
Track Listing
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ROCK ACT RETURNS TO ITS ROOTS| Posted November 09, 2009
It's interesting to note that for all their rock releases and the longevity of the Kutless name, it's a worship album from four years ago that still remains the BEC act's best-selling album. Usually these discs are a one-off project of sorts - think Christmas album - but for Kutless, it's actually return to their roots.
Considering the Portland quintet started out as a worship band, it's fitting that they finally follow 2005's Strong Tower with this fall's It Is Well. The famous hymn finds itself as the title track and central theme on the 12 songs present here. The song itself, "It Is Well," stays true to all facets of the tune ‘cept for the amped up guitars on each verse and final chorus.
Other familiar tracks break up the originals and almost every one of them follow the original songwriter's inclinations. It's frustrating, then, to find a well-worn song like "God of Wonders" receiving the exact same vocal progressions and sequence as every other take on planet Earth. A slight change is given to the beginning of "Hungry" and that helps give the track some new life.
The best of the originals is "Amazed," a slow-to-mid-tempo anthem that holds a melody so good, you wonder if it's an established worship song that you just happened to miss. "You Save Me" ups the rock quotient with a Hillsong-like chorus and it's here that the Kutless from To Know That You're Alive makes their presence most felt.
When breathing new life into already-familiar tracks, it'd serve an artist (or band) well to try to, um… do just that. So it's disheartening to see the conventional path so easily taken. Still the original tracks here are worth your time and money and Kutless has given the church (and their concertgoers) some new vertical songs to chew on. —Matt Conner
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
It Is Well| Posted November 06, 2009
When you think of worship artists, which come to mind? Chris Tomlin? Hillsong?
Brenton Brown? Matt Redman? There are plenty of others, but one unlikely candidate is
Kutless. Sure, the Portland-based rock act released a worship album (Strong Tower) a few
years back, but that was when most of CCM was caught up in the “worship music
craze.” But, after much prayer and consideration, the guys of Kutless have decided to
put forth a second worship project, titled after the group’s favorite hymn, It Is Well.
Similar to Strong Tower, It Is Well is a mix of covers and originals. The title-track opens
with a traditional choir angelically singing the chorus of It Is Well. A dance/techno beat
emerges in the mix before slamming into a wall of crunchy guitars. “Redeemer” is
actually a medley of two Keith Green songs, a verse of “Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful” and
a verse and chorus of “There Is A Redeemer.” The song starts out subdued but soon
becomes faced with gutsy power chords, similar in execution to the title-track.
“Hungry,” “God of Wonders,” and “Give Us Clean Hands” while solid tracks, leave a bit
to be desired (although the “woahs” at the beginning of “Give Us Clean Hands” is a nice
touch).
To keep this worship record from being all too familiar, Kutless offers some original
worship songs. The album’s lead single “What Faith Can Do” has already resonated with
many around the country, at one point reaching number one on iTunes’ top Christian
songs. Stylistically, “Remember Me” probably wouldn’t be out of place on a regular
Kutless album. The track is noticeably darker from the rest, but worshipful nonetheless.
Acoustic-driven “I’m Still Yours” brings the album to a close. Though it’s one of the
softest tracks, it’s perhaps the most powerful song on It Is Well; Jon Micah sings,
“Even if You take it all away, I know I’m still Yours.” This powerful line ties back to the
song “It Is Well” in that God will carry us through difficult times, we just have to trust in
Him.
Overall, It Is Well is a solid, uplifting worship album. Kutless once again proves that
worship can be rockin’.
Closing Thoughts:
I was quite impressed with It Is Well. I somewhat enjoyed Strong Tower, but I found it
to be a little bland. Thankfully, this is not the case with It Is Well.
Surpasses Strong Tower by a Mile!| Posted November 17, 2009
I'm a huge Kutless fan, and I truly believe this is their best album to date. It's complete. It's solid. It's lyrically sound. And above all it's focused on God. I kept up with the band's making of the album and I could definitely see a difference in this album. A heavenly difference. They were/are solely focused on bringing God glory, not in making a second worship album just because Strong Tower did so well. During the recording, every morning they would have a Bible Study, devotional time, and a prayer time. This album was not, I repeat, was not made to make money just because Strong Tower was their best selling album. They made this album to reflect God's glory and show how great our God really is.
The album itself is amazing, complete, and sound. My personal favorites are It Is Well, What Faith Can Do, and Redeemer. It Is Well has a great rockin' twist to a beloved hymn. What Faith Can Do has an amazing message and a beautiful sound. Redeemer is awesome!
I'd recommend this to every fan of Strong Tower. It Is Well beats out Strong Tower by a long shot.
It Is A Well-Done Album| Posted November 02, 2009
Over the years, Kutless has made a name for themselves as a one of the leading Christian rock bands. But one thing that many fans don’t know about is Kutless’ versatility as a worship leader. In their second worship album, Kutless releases It Is Well.
It Is Well is a catchy rendition of the classic hymn. Out of all the songs on this album, this song stands out the most. Lead singer Jon Micah Sumrall manages to capture the song in a desperate plea that “it is well with my soul!”
Amazed is captured in it’s title. A brilliant song with both captivating lyrics and music.
Though not an original, Hungry is a powerful song about waiting for God’s timing and wanting only Christ. Kutless manages to take a song and slow it down just enough to make it powerful, but upbeat enough to make it worship song.
Taken By Love is a good worship song by itself, but seems a little clique at times.
What Faith Can Do is a reminder that God is always there. Many have praised Kutless for their hit single “Strong Tower,” but What Faith Can Do is a song that rivals all other Kutless singles. Powerful in lyrics and music, this song is sure to top the charts!
For a worship project, Remember Me feels a little out of place. Even though the song is a compelling worship song, the arrangement seems more fit in Kutless’ regular albums.
God of Wonders is a staple of worship songs. Every band has put forth its own version of the worship song. Kutless gives the song an interesting twist with more electric guitar and bass, but still the same song.
Everything I Need is a beautiful worship, but it sounds too much like Matthew West’s version of the song. Enough said.
Give Us Clean Hands is another good cover to a well-known song.
A praise song at heart, You Save Me is a song of praise for God’s mercy. The highlight of the song is it’s powerful cords combined with the lyrics.
Redeemer is a piano driven worship song. Jon Micah’s voice rings true as Keith Green’s “Oh Lord, You're Beautiful" and "There Is A Redeemer” are blended into one impressive song.
I’m Still Yours is a mind-boggling song. It ties directly to the title track, “It Is Well.” The lyrics declare a true devotion to God no matter what.
Even though it is well is not the most innovative album released, out of worship albums it scores high in both new songs and classic renditions. The only downfall of the album is that some songs seem a little out of place and the album doesn’t flow like it should. Nonetheless, this album is must buy! 4 out of 5 stars!
It is Well by Kutless| Posted October 30, 2009
This is a good album. There was not one song on the album that I did not like. The lyrics are very clear and easy to understand. It is a nice mix of new rockin' versions of traditional, contemporary, and even some hymns that I have never heard before.
awesome| Posted October 29, 2009
I can't describe this album any better than one word..."AWESOME"!! They may be considered "rock", but this is, by far, the best rock album I've ever listened to! Being able to preview the entire album instead of just a 30 second sample is a great idea!
Great Worship Album| Posted October 28, 2009
Once again, Kutless has released a great worship album. I love anything that Kutless does, from their heavier rock to worship; and this will be sure to please any Kutless fan.
Sick| Posted October 27, 2009
When you think of a worship album you probably aren't thinking about what Kutless does on "It Is Well" This album is a crazy mix of harder and softer music. A blend of classic worship songs and some new ones that rock too. I love it and cannot stop listening.
They rock!| Posted October 27, 2009
I love free album preview! I saw Kutless twice-they opened for the Newsboys and at World Pulse Festival.On this album is the best "It Is Well" that I've ever heard. They rock!
Worship| Posted October 27, 2009
Not as creative as i would have expected some of their songs to be...some of the songs that have been done a lot need to be creative or they dont stick out. However, they covered a Keith Green song, which is awesome!!! i heard it and got so excited..pretty good idea, Kutless..kudos on the new album!
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