Taking over almost every chart they might fit in, Kutless is on a rampage.
Their music is just what most mainstream listeners are looking for, but it
also has the message that brings you closer to God. Find out that and much
more in this week's version of cMusicMail.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JOY ELECTRIC AT PURPLE DOOR 02
The makers of experimental pop/electronica music go in-depth to provide the
latest on their synthesizer-powered excitement. They talk about their latest
discs, a DVD documentary on the band, and the Christian music scene in
general. Read it all here:
http://www.cmusicweb.com/features/purpledoor02/joyelectric.shtml

Plus, check out more interviews with artists such as Switchfoot and the Paul
Coleman Trio online too!

Also, for the next couple weeks, we will be delivering an interview every
week, with such artists as John Reuben and Relient K. So, check back in for
more.


KUTLESS - KUTLESS (2002)
by Rick Foux

Staind, Nickelback, and Puddle of Mudd. Like these rock bands? Chances are
they probably won't record a Christian album anytime soon. Fear not: if
you're a fan of those secular guys but looking for something more spiritual,
Kutless makes a fine choice for a Christian alternative. Not only is their
stuff squeaky clean; Kutless just oozes with talent. These are five guys who
know how to rock hard and praise God while doing so.

"But Rick," you're thinking," they're a Christian band, and everyone knows
that Christian bands are never as good as their secular counterparts." My
friends, prepare to be amazed. Kutless's self-titled debut on BEC Recordings
will blow you away. Beginning with their first single, "Your Touch," Kutless
grips your ears and won't let go. "Your Touch" contains some of the
crispiest rock this side of a Nestle's CRUNCH bar, and Jon Micah Sumrall's
Scott Stapp-like vocals glide through the low notes and paralyze when he
screams. He's also a heck of a singer, as evidenced on "Run," and his band
follows suit by letting their instruments cool and carrying Sumrall's vocals
upon a soothing acoustic melody. The addition of a violin makes "Run" the
album's sleeper hit. Don't let the term "sleeper" fool you, as things don't
stay quiet for long. "Pride Away" surges with that
jump-around-bang-your-head energy essential to any hard rock band's success.
Things heat up immediately after the bridge when Kutless represents by
busting a rhyme and cranking the electricity up a notch. Tangled distortion
and silky chords fuse to create "Again," an opaque track that plods along
heavily, staggering under its burden of weighty guitars. Photocopying
Creed's "What If," Kutless introduces their doppelganger entitled "Tonight."
At home in any massive speaker system, "Tonight" holds nothing back,
releasing an onslaught of fiery strings, piercing cymbals, and enraged
screaming. It's sure to be a concert favorite. In a surprising twist,
Kutless performs the disc's closer, "Grace and Love," with nothing more than
vocals, drums, and a keyboard. It results in a resplendent ballad similar to
Skillet's "Will You Be There (Falling Down)" with the exception that
Kutless's is more raw. Make no mistake, this band has all the musical bases
covered.

"But Rick," you're thinking," bands who are musically talented can't write a
decent song to save their lives." I say to you again: my friends, prepare to
be amazed. Kutless pens a plethora of positive rock with lyrics that either
drown you in thought or cut to the bone. Try "In Me" on for size. The track
is a testimony of finding new life in Christ and putting to rest the old
sinful nature. Kutless takes special care not to condemn or offend but
instead presents their message straight-forward, unashamedly proclaiming
Jesus Christ as the one and only way to the Father. The quintet makes their
"Vow" on track #4, praising God for his mercy and promising, "You'll be all
of my life and I'll never think twice to do all that you have for me." They
then take a third-person approach to "Down," reciting the story of a girl
who wants to fly away from her lack of self-esteem, her anorexia, her
compulsion...only to find out that she's destroying herself in the process.
Kutless recommends God as the prescription, but sadly we never find out if
the heroine takes her medicine. Instead, we move on to a brighter hope with
"Saved," the definitive song to listen to if you're wondering what Kutless
is all about. The first half of the track is a witness to someone who is
lost: "You ask me why I need this faith. I tell you now it's the only way.
To be set free from all your pain, you must accept these words I say." After
explaining the salvation process, Sumrall then shouts to the Lord, "I cry
out to You with the love that fills my heart. I give my life to You; in
faith I won't depart." Clearly grasping the ideals of faith, hope, and love,
Kutless's songwriting promises a pick-me-up when you're feeling like scum.

BEC has been doing a lot of the right things lately and signing Kutless was
certainly no mistake. In a time when high album sales often cover-up shoddy
performance, who would have thought such well-rounded artistry could emerge
from hard rock oblivion? "But Rick," you're thinking. Stop thinking. Go get
this album without a second thought and have peace of mind.

Read more about Kutless at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/kutless


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

BEAUTIFUL - BURN:UK
Vineyard Music's Burn Service series has started up in the UK, with the more
raw, aggressive rock style fused with the quality of Vineyard UK. Sounds
like a good match to me.

CITY ON A HILL: IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME - VARIOUS
Possibly the most anticipated Christmas release this year, It's Christmas
Time delivers with big names like Sixpence, Third Day, Sara Groves, and many
more. The disc features traditional carols plus a few new ones, some in a
somewhat different sound than your usual Christmas carol. It's a great
Christmas PICK OF THE WEEK.

THE HEART OF ME - KATHY TROCCOLI
This is one your mom or dad might like to have... unless they rock too.
Troccoli has been making discs for probably just about as long as I've been
alive, and her inspirational sound works great on those radio stations that
put you to sleep.

MIX OF LIFE - ZOEGIRL
Not content to just give you pop, the people at Sparrow want to give you
REMIXED pop to keep you awake as well! These new mixes of many popular
ZOEgirl hits to keep it all fresh, although we definitely prefer the
Newsboys Remixed.

THE OBSERVATORY - CADET
These guys from Cadet can rock out, but they also love to worship. Even at
90 decibels they praise their maker. They often shift back and forth from
acoustic guitar to all-out rock, sometimes even in the course of one track.
But, it's still an exciting ride.

REMIXED - NEWSBOYS
The Newsboys took it upon themselves (with a little help from others) to
remix some of their most popular songs. The result? Some songs are
butchered, some offer a good dance vibe, and others just change minor
instrumentation.

STAND UP - EVERYDAY SUNDAY
The first national release from this gritty rock band shows their potential,
but lacks the perfection that will come with more time. All in all, they
deliver a good debut with much potential in their future.

STAY - JEREMY CAMP
You would think a man who has just gone through the tragic death of his wife
would have a hard time rockin' out and praising God, would you not? Well,
Jeremy Camp does both with his gritty voice and very reflective lyrics.

THIS IS WHO I AM - JODY McBRAYER
In the vein of dc Talk, it seems Avalon is going solo, doing some side
projects. The first off the line is from Jody McBrayer, who delivers a bit
more edgy version of the Avalon experience.

TRUTHLESS HEROES - PROJECT 86
Hard rockers Project 86 are back with a much-anticipated new disc, featuring
much of the same musical style but also covering many important issues in
today's society.

WOVEN AND SPUN - NICHOLE NORDEMAN
Well known from her first two albums of introspective lyrics and beautiful
piano pop, Nordeman is back. Her thoughts on God and his grace are woven
through the lyrics of the album, bringing a bit different focus to this
record. The shared production of Mark Hammond and Charlie Peacock keep ideas
fresh too.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
- Ginny to Release Blueprint EP
- Luna Halo Releases Self-Titled EP Online
- Eminem to Hear KJ-52's "Dear Slim"
- Lifehouse to Record Worship Album?
- Buchanan Suspended, Used Steroids
- Katy Hudson Joins Island Records
- Kutless' Debut Sells Out
- And more!

View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


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even more great content. If you have any comments or questions, please reply
to this e-mail or send them to webmaster@... We'd love to hear
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Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
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