NEW MUSIC
[ NOW HEAR THIS | Gerod Bass ]
REND COLLECTIVE SOUL SURVIVOR KUTLESS
Good News The Promise Alpha / Omega
Over the past few years Irish folk rockers, Soul Survivor is a team ministry based in the For the past 15 years Portland, OR based
Rend Collective, have become the pioneers of UK that seeks to help people deepen their Kutless has blessed its fans with their grungy,
creative modern worship. Their infectious energy relationship with Jesus and grow in the ministry Northwest alternative style of worship. Their
and throw-caution-to-the-wind approach have and power of the Holy Spirit through events and latest release, Alpha / Omega, combines their
rocketed them to one of the most-beloved artists camps. Their worship collective includes such alternative rock and more mainstream worship
to date. Their 6th studio album, Good News, is artists as Matt Redman, Phil Whickam, Beth albums into a sort of “best-of” release. Here,
a hope -illed joy ride of worship that features 15 Croft, and Tom Smith. Their latest release, The the band tackles six worship covers and four
new songs of praise for those pew sitters who Promise, features some of the best cuts from re-packaged originals that Kutless fans will eat
like their worship a bit more jubilant. their nights of worship during 5 summer camps up, while also demonstrating enough reflective
that reached over 24,000 students and adults. nuances to make these songs palatable for
Thematically, the album centers on the theology
of the cross and the hope that the resurrection Themes of the joy and hope of Christ abound brings for every person on the earth, which is throughout this collection featuring 4 previously Their redo of their 2005 hit “Strong Tower” has
good news indeed. released songs and 7 new offerings whose a bit more of a pop flavor, which might make it
musical roots are found along the lines of Bethel, more appealing to a younger generation, but
Hillsong, and Jesus Culture. to this reviewer the original was much more
Musically, most of the songs stay in the realm
of raucous Irish folk music with a slight southern
corporate worship.
gospel bend. Some of the cuts that rise to the The first three tracks bring the energy and meaningful and edgy. “Your Great Name” is
top of this big 15 song collection include the enthusiasm of youthful worship, as all three pretty much par for the course musically with
opener, “Life Is Beautiful” which is an acoustic boast well-mixed EDM beats while lyrically most modern worship songs, with the opening
thumper with a myriad of instruments joining calling Christians to a new awakening in the Holy pads and building chorus, but lyrically it has
together for this infectious and energetic song Spirit and exploring God’s never changing love. some shining moments.
of praise.
“Jesus I Love You” brings a more tender Their cover of “Your Love Awakens Me” gives
The title track “Rescuer (Good News)” is a mood, with Stu-G-esque ethereal guitars and a nice energetic shot in the arm with it’s driving
creative southern gospel ditty about the saving melodic piano as Tom Smith paints a gorgeous drums and guitars, and I actually prefer this
power of the Gospel that features rhythmic musical picture of how the sacrifice of Christ version to most that I have heard. “Give It All”
drums, honkytonk piano, and a catchy chorus. brings healing to a broken world. A turbo- shows off a more vulnerable side of the band,
“No Outsiders” gives the listener a perfectly charged dynamite of worship, “1,000 Years” is but with just enough heavy bass licks and
timed break from the high-energy worship a powerful exposition of 2 Peter 3:8, and “Joy distortion to not let us forget that this is Kutless.
circus and focuses us on the idea that there Of the Lord” will have you stomping your feet as Overall, I was kind of hoping for a bit more
is absolutely no one that Jesus does not seek we are reminded of how our joy comes from the out of this album. A few of the songs seemed
after, while “Christ Lives In Me” ends the album strength of the Lord. a little cookie-cutter and robotic, and I would
appropriately by digging into Galatians 2:20 The Promise is a nice collection of modern, have preferred a lot more new originals, but
and looking forward to the reward we have youthful worship that highlights the hope and joy Kutless fans will probably enjoy this offering. A
in Heaven. that we have in the promises of God that not bright spot is that there are a few more edgy
Good News is a superb reminder for all of us only stand the test of time, but never fail. There arrangements of some well-liked worship
that the story of Christ should be shared with are some nice moments here and I appreciated tunes that could definitely find their way into
reckless abandon and unsurpassed joy in our the vertical nature of those songs and the energy your repertoire.
everyday lives. These are songs of never ending of those performing them, but lyrically the album hope that will fill your soul and warm your heart. left me a bit flat. Gerod Bass
Worship leader in Tacoma, WA. Mentor with Worship
Catalyst. Singer, songwriter, guitarist with a passion
for impacting lives for the sake of the Gospel.
oslc.com
Go get it.
48
January 2018
WorshipMusician.com