Geoff K. from W LAFAYETTE, IN Reviewed on 6/11/2010...
I really like most of it. Some of the songs are older worship songs now, but good.
Marc C. from PLACERVILLE, CA Reviewed on 5/25/2008...
This is one of the best Cds in my whole collection, period. Love these guys and how they praise the Lord with a rocking rhythm and tender ballads. "All who are thirsty" says it all for me. What a great message of hope to the world. There is not one bad tune on the whole disc. This is a seamless perfect fit for any Christian rock listener.
CD Reviews
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Lit Chic | The Lone Star State | 03/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First, let me preface this with a rebuttal to another reviewer: my husband and I agreed long before Kutless announced the release of "Strong Tower" that they needed to do a worship album. Songs on previous CDs, such as "Run," "Again," "Tonight," "Grace and Love," "Sea of Faces," and "Passion" indicate a strong bent in favor of worship by Kutless. So "Strong Tower" is a natural.
Overall, the album is smooth, energizing, inspiring, and most definitely Kutless. Of course, as with any other musical journey, there are peaks and valleys. Kutless opens with the tranquil "We Fall Down," then kicks it up a notch with "Finding Who We Are." "Take Me In" has bluesy undertones and is simultaneously contemplative and rocking.
"Ready for You" is soulful, which is to be expected from the ever-poetic penman and frontman Jon Micah Sumrall. "Draw Me Close" once again lifts the energy to a worship peak (this is the cue to belt it in the car during a frustrating commute). "All Who Are Thirsty" provides meditative longing. "Better Is One Day" is one of my favorites on the album, lending to some breathtaking (especially if you're making a joyful noise along with ;) moments.
At this point, Kutless allows you to catch your breath with their original "All of the Words" from "Sea of Faces." But don't count on it lasting--"Strong Tower," another Kutless creation and the title track, is goosebump-worthy and deserves cranked volume. They follow this high with "Jesus Lord of Heaven." "I Lift My Eyes Up" demonstrates strong evidence of Kutless-izing, and is worth the effort. "Word of God Speak" is weighty, and the final track, "Arms of Love" is pure and sublime, and a perfect ending note...to start the whole thing over.
All great artists, whether music, literary, visual, or otherwise, acknowledge the great debt of those who have pioneered the way before them. Whether or not this played into the cover, I can't say. However, as a U2 fan, I found a happy nod from Kutless in the Achtung Baby-esque cover of "Strong Tower." It works beautifully on its own merit, but contrasting things like a picture of "U2" rings with the band's wedding rings is great fun. In the same way, Kutless builds on the existing worship scene, taking the best of it and making it better.
This album is perfect for Kutless fans, but is also a perfect introduction to Kutless. Enjoy!
--The Medieval Chick
"
Excellent Worship Album
S. Peek | Rocky Mountains, USA | 08/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This worship album was my first exposure to Kutless. What a pleasure! This is a superb collection.
Although several of the songs are remakes of worship classics done by others, they are very well done. Of those that had been done before, I particularly liked 'We Fall Down', 'Better Is One Day', and 'Arms of Love'.
An original Kutless song on this album is the title track, 'Strong Tower'. It is a strong praise song that has inspiring lyrics and a great sound.
I liked this album so much that I decided to also pick up 'Sea of Faces' by Kutless and found it to be very good as well. If you like worship music with a modern sound, get this album. You won't regret it."
Kutless Delivers an Amazing Worship Album!
Media Lover | 10/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kutless, as most of you know is acutally an edgy Christian rock band. They are experts at tempering their powerful grunge into something musical, and listenable. This really comes through in Strong Tower.
This album is lighter than their other albums, that is for sure. But the lyrics are redeeming, refreshing, and strongly worshipful.
The Best Tracks Are
#3 Take Me In- This is a very heavy rendition of the praise and worhsip song. It resembles something like a minor key rock ballad.
Strong Tower- This is another awesome song, a bit of rock, a bit of worship,- bliss
and then there's
Finding Who We Are- A fine rendition.
The Best Worship CD I Own"
A different side of Kutless
Brad | Texas | 03/04/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For those of you who are disappointed that this album doesn't have a whole lot of new stuff, don't be dismayed- they are releasing a fully new album this fall. But for now- the only new thing kutless fans can get their hands on is "Strong Tower". That is not a bad thing. Strong Tower has a Kutless twist on all the worship songs. While most songs don't have the "rock" twist as you would expect, it still sounds like a kutless ballad (like sea of faces or grace and love) My personal favorite "old" worship song they do is "better is one day". It has the type of rock feel as one of their other songs called "perspectives" has.
My favorite song is "Strong Tower". A brand new Kutless rock song like the ones we've been listening to on their first two albums.
So is the CD worth buying? If your a Kutless fan, then yes, you'll love it. If your a worship music fan, yes. But if your looking for a good christian hard rock CD, get their self titled debut or Sea of Faces."
First Exposure to Kutless - awesome
J. D. Henderson | Lewisville, TX | 06/10/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If a fan is going to judge this ban's heart and accuse them of allegedly making a worship album to make money, this excellent band can do without them. I can't believe I'm hearing a Christian band being condemned for worshipping God through music. Unoriginal? I've never heard these great songs like this before. Most of them are the best versions I have heard while others are just different. I never heard of Kutless before hearing Draw Me Close on the radio. I thought "wow, I know that song. This is a phenomenal remake". After hearing a few samples of other songs, I immediately bought the whole album. Par for the course, Christianity Today gave it a bad review. I have loved every single album that CT has given a bad review. And it is definitely a rock worship album. What were these petty fans expecting, a death metal worship album?"