The campus worship band Call Box formed in Portland, Oregon circa 1999. They changed their name to Kutless in 2001. The next year they released their first full-length album, which was self-titled. 'Run', from it, was a long running hit for the band. In 2003 they opened for Audio Adrenaline and MercyMe. 2004 saw them release their second record, SEA OF FACES (BEC Recordings). All of the eleven songs were written by Jon Micah Sumrall, Kyle Mitchell, James Mead, Ryan Shrout, and Aaron Sprinkle. Sprinkle also produced the album, with Brandon Ebel serving as executive producer. It reached #97 on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for a Dove Award for 'Rock Album of the Year'.
Starting things off is 'Not What You See', a hard rocker about humility: "How could I ever think to be more than the one who created me?/I watched Him do all that He said/His words were 'Be a servant to all'.../Only one deserves this exaltation/Only one deserves this elevation/But even He, He laid it down to serve on bended knee". 'All Alone' finds God speaking to His children: "If you would change your perspective/You'd see that it is true/Life is not always what you want/Sometimes it's hard to bear/I'd be with you and help you/In all that you go through/I love you/Let Me change your heart by coming in". 'Better For You' is a rock song offering these words of wisdom: "I know it seems too wrong to be right/This way is so much harder to fight/But in the end I know it is true/This way is better, it's better for you/Choose a little pain and gain a life with joy/Accepting pleasure now will earn a life of pain".
The beautiful adult contemporary title track, a ballad, 'Sea of Faces', follows. It's all about God's love for us: "I am not just a man vastly lost in this world/Lost in a sea of faces/Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine/Because You traded Your life for mine". 'Let You In' is a chug-a-long rock song of one realizing their need for Christ: "This need is real, in my soul I feel/The love You shared/That's why I can't say no again/My thoughts are confused, for my sins You're abused/My heart it screams to open up and let You in". This is a heavier song than most Kutless fans will be used to and features Ryan Clark of Demon Hunter, as well as a rap break by Benjamin.
'Passion' is a slow rock song appropriate for Easter: "Nail-pierced hands, they run with blood/A splitting brow forced by the thorns/His face is writhing with the pain/Yet it's comforting to me". 'Perspectives' is a ballad that will get you thinking: "Why can't you see that freedom/Is sometimes simply another perspective away?/Who could you be if your lens was changed for a moment?/Would you still be the same?"
'Treason' reached #1 on ChristianRock.net! It admits human shortcomings, but points to God's goodness: "With my two lips I will praise Your Name/Then I turn around and only curse and blame/I give in, strength is thin, adding to my shame.../Your blood it covered all my sin/You changed a traitor into kin". The next song, 'All the Words', was used in an episode of the TV show 'Scrubs'. It's a modern worship ballad: "In Your presence I forever choose to live/I will praise You for it's all I have to give.../By Your grace You let me come and talk to You/It's not that I'm worthy/I thank You Jesus for the love that You have shown".
'Troubled Heart' is a rock track of spiritual encouragement: "Amidst the pain, you're not alone/Though you can't see through the haze/His eyes of love are staring down/And He feels your troubled heart". Closing things out is 'It's Like Me', which includes these very relatable words: "Sometimes I still never see/When perfect opportunities come my way/Would my care increase if I truly believed that a life could be saved?"
SEA OF FACES is a really good album of mostly slow rock songs, with three fast ones mixed in, and three adult contemporary selections. Jon Micah Sumrall's vocals are great and if you enjoy the music and vocals of Creed and Jeremy Camp, you'll dig this album! The cross as an expression of God's perfect, redeeming love for us is central here. These songs not only call others to come to Jesus, but implore us to give our lives fully to Him, so He can help us live the life He wants for us. The terrific worship ballad 'All the Words' will be a highlight for some. This Cd comes with one great group photo on the cover, and five clear pictures in the CD booklet (one of each group member at the time). I'm rating SEA OF FACES 96%. For more info visit www.kutless.com.