Kutless fans expect melodic rock that falls somewhere between Jeremy Camp and Disciple stylistically, characterized by plenty of guitar riffs and immediately identifiable due to Jon Micah Sumrall's distinctive voice. To Know That You're Alive delivers with an unexpected new producer--Pete Kipley, better known for MercyMe than for harder bands. The change is most obvious on the mellower songs, but the harder songs lose none of their edge, resulting in an album with lots of variety.
"Promise You" may be the best song on To Know That You're Alive, tackling abuse:
Tears wash the blood off of my face / Why did it have to be this way / I've taken the last beating from you / This I promise you / I'm waiting for the sun to rise / And make the darkness go away / The time has come to say goodbye / And God will help me find a way / Just to let go of the fear / I can't deny these thoughts of hate / The poison adding to my shame / Forgiveness can't take scars away / But I forgive you anyway
"The Disease and the Cure" is my other pick for the standout song on this project, offering pulsating rock that pleads:
Is there way to clean the sin off of me / Is there anyone with a vaccine / I'll take the shot even if I bleed / As long as it can heal me
Then a nice change-of-pace bridge offers the solution:
There only is one cure / that is why I pray / Jesus please take it away
"Complete" and "I Do Not Belong" are FM-friendly pop rock tunes that could fit on the Strong Tower worship project Kutless released a few years ago. To Know That You're Alive will tour well with its combination of anthemic rock sing-alongs, thoughtful ballads, and rousing rockers.
Kutless is one of the few Christian bands that can rock hard with twin guitars on songs like "The Rescue," yet keep the vocals up front in the mix so the message comes through plainly even without a lyric sheet. Some have criticized the band for being formulaic, but when the formula is good, even Coke learned that change isn't necessarily better. Yes, originality is wonderful, but I can live with a cliché here and there if the music sounds good and the cliché conveys truth. Kutless keeps their Christian message up front and points hurting kids to Christ. May their kind increase.
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