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| ><> CMR Album Review <>< |
'Strong Tower'
[Release Date: March 1, 2005] (BEC Recordings)
[Release Date: March 20, 2007] Deluxe Edition CD
[Release Date: March 20, 2007] Deluxe Edition CD
Track Listing
1. We Fall Down
2. Finding Who We Are
3. Take Me in
4. Ready for You
5. Draw Me Close
6. All Who Are Thirsty
7. Better Is One Day
8. All the Words
1. We Fall Down
2. Finding Who We Are
3. Take Me in
4. Ready for You
5. Draw Me Close
6. All Who Are Thirsty
7. Better Is One Day
8. All the Words
| 4.0 |
| 2.6 |
| 2.0 |
| 0.9 |
| 9.5 |
| 95% A |
| ><> Review Written By: Jay Heilman (jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org) <>< ><> Date Written: May 24, 2008 <>< |
| [ Main Review ] |
| [ Writer's Closing Thoughts ] |
| I have been reading a lot of the reviews out there on Strong Tower, and I see a lot of negative comments being made regarding it. I may be a bit biased when it comes to Kutless, because I consider myself a fan of the group and it's music. But most importantly, I have interviewed the group on a few occasions and having sat and talked with them, they are the real deal. In a world of Christian rock groups who care more about making it big and crossing over into the mainstream, it's good to see a group out there whose ambitions and goals are still on that of the Lord's will and nothing less. With that said, I would recommend Strong Tower to any rock fans out there that are looking for some good praise and worship music and covers that appeal to more of the 'rock genre' fans then that of the slower more ballad-like praise and worship music. Me? I am a fan of both, but I like to switch it up every once and while and hear something different and that's what Strong Tower did for me. Definitely worth picking up! |
I was much anticipating Kutless' follow-up release to 2004's Sea Of Faces. Sea Of Faces
was an album that I thoroughly enjoyed and I thought that the message was evident and
was carried well with the music throughout the project.
Having said that, I was actually surprised at how the group had taken some other hymns
and worship songs and made them their own. Kutless' version of "We Fall Down" was
actually the first time I had heard this song. Yes, surprisingly I didn't hear Chris Tomlin's
version until a little later on. I like what the group did with this song, it was new and fresh
take on the great worship song, but it didn't stray too far from the original.
The third track, "Take Me In", was a cover of Petra's song from the 80's. I actually had
taken a listen to this one and then the Petra. Wow, what a night and day difference! I
liked the Kutless version way better then the original. Petra's version although having a
great message was just plain boring. This has to be my favorite songs on the record.
Great worship song, and done well. I had been recently reading through the Torah
(Genesis-Deuteronomy) and the message of the song basically walked through scriptures
of Moses and the Israelites journey into the wilderness with the Ark of the Covenant in tow.
I very much liked the rock guitar intro to Kelly Carpenter's classic worship song, "Draw Me
Close". The song in itself's message is one of eternal dependence on Christ, the Author
and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). The message is simple but powerful
nonetheless. Another version I think Kutless revamps a bit and makes grand all over
again.
Another track on the record that was redone was Matt Redman's "Better Is One Day". I
don't think Kutless changed much on the arrangement, other then making the original
song a little 'heavier' with the guitars. "Better Is One Day" in my opinion is one the best
praise and worship songs out there right now.
The big single from the album, is also the title track with the new worship song, "Strong
Tower", written by Kutless for this project. This is one of two songs (The other "Ready For
You") that Kutless wrote for this worship project. The message of "Strong Tower", to me
could inspired by two scriptures. One being Psalm 61:3, "For thou hast been a shelter for
me, and a strong tower from the enemy." and the other found in Proverbs 18:10 which
says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
"Strong Tower" is sure to become a memorable worship song someday.
The last song that caught my attention is Kutless' cover of MercyMe's "Word of God
Speak". This is another case of the group taking a great worship song and revamping it a
bit to fit Kutless' style of rock music. I think they did a good job on creating a fresh new
take on another big worship song from one of today's most successful Christian groups.
Strong Tower has it's great moments and it's definitely got a great message, hence it's
concept of covering today's most well-known worship songs while adding a few new
numbers of it's own. For those who are looking for a different take on the numerous praise
and worship projects out there, this album is one that delivers while staying true for the
most part to the originals.
Strong Tower: Deluxe Edition REVIEW ADD-IN
A lot of folks will ask their friends who have recently went out and bought the expanded or
deluxe edition of an previously released album, "Is it worth spending another $12-15 on an
nearly identical album with only a few extra songs on it?" Well, I love Kutless and loved the
original 2005 release Strong Tower, but it would be stretching it far if I were to say, Yes, it's
definitely worth going out and buying the Deluxe edition. I would say that would depend on
how big of a Kutless fan you are and if you even had the extra money to buy the new
version. In this case, it's a toss up. For those of you who had Live From Portland prior to
the Deluxe edition of Strong Tower coming out, it's probably not worth the buy. It would
only have two extra songs on it (the live version of "Strong Tower" on the deluxe addition is
actually the same track from Live From Portland!). The two extra songs are good songs,
but not worth going out and shelling out more money for. I am sorry, but this is a tough
world and money is not always easy to come by. I would suggest going onto one of the
on-line music stores and checking into just buying the two extra tracks if you can find them.
$2-3 bucks extra is a lot better then $15. You know?
was an album that I thoroughly enjoyed and I thought that the message was evident and
was carried well with the music throughout the project.
Having said that, I was actually surprised at how the group had taken some other hymns
and worship songs and made them their own. Kutless' version of "We Fall Down" was
actually the first time I had heard this song. Yes, surprisingly I didn't hear Chris Tomlin's
version until a little later on. I like what the group did with this song, it was new and fresh
take on the great worship song, but it didn't stray too far from the original.
The third track, "Take Me In", was a cover of Petra's song from the 80's. I actually had
taken a listen to this one and then the Petra. Wow, what a night and day difference! I
liked the Kutless version way better then the original. Petra's version although having a
great message was just plain boring. This has to be my favorite songs on the record.
Great worship song, and done well. I had been recently reading through the Torah
(Genesis-Deuteronomy) and the message of the song basically walked through scriptures
of Moses and the Israelites journey into the wilderness with the Ark of the Covenant in tow.
I very much liked the rock guitar intro to Kelly Carpenter's classic worship song, "Draw Me
Close". The song in itself's message is one of eternal dependence on Christ, the Author
and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). The message is simple but powerful
nonetheless. Another version I think Kutless revamps a bit and makes grand all over
again.
Another track on the record that was redone was Matt Redman's "Better Is One Day". I
don't think Kutless changed much on the arrangement, other then making the original
song a little 'heavier' with the guitars. "Better Is One Day" in my opinion is one the best
praise and worship songs out there right now.
The big single from the album, is also the title track with the new worship song, "Strong
Tower", written by Kutless for this project. This is one of two songs (The other "Ready For
You") that Kutless wrote for this worship project. The message of "Strong Tower", to me
could inspired by two scriptures. One being Psalm 61:3, "For thou hast been a shelter for
me, and a strong tower from the enemy." and the other found in Proverbs 18:10 which
says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
"Strong Tower" is sure to become a memorable worship song someday.
The last song that caught my attention is Kutless' cover of MercyMe's "Word of God
Speak". This is another case of the group taking a great worship song and revamping it a
bit to fit Kutless' style of rock music. I think they did a good job on creating a fresh new
take on another big worship song from one of today's most successful Christian groups.
Strong Tower has it's great moments and it's definitely got a great message, hence it's
concept of covering today's most well-known worship songs while adding a few new
numbers of it's own. For those who are looking for a different take on the numerous praise
and worship projects out there, this album is one that delivers while staying true for the
most part to the originals.
Strong Tower: Deluxe Edition REVIEW ADD-IN
A lot of folks will ask their friends who have recently went out and bought the expanded or
deluxe edition of an previously released album, "Is it worth spending another $12-15 on an
nearly identical album with only a few extra songs on it?" Well, I love Kutless and loved the
original 2005 release Strong Tower, but it would be stretching it far if I were to say, Yes, it's
definitely worth going out and buying the Deluxe edition. I would say that would depend on
how big of a Kutless fan you are and if you even had the extra money to buy the new
version. In this case, it's a toss up. For those of you who had Live From Portland prior to
the Deluxe edition of Strong Tower coming out, it's probably not worth the buy. It would
only have two extra songs on it (the live version of "Strong Tower" on the deluxe addition is
actually the same track from Live From Portland!). The two extra songs are good songs,
but not worth going out and shelling out more money for. I am sorry, but this is a tough
world and money is not always easy to come by. I would suggest going onto one of the
on-line music stores and checking into just buying the two extra tracks if you can find them.
$2-3 bucks extra is a lot better then $15. You know?
9. Strong Tower
10. Jesus Lord of Heaven
11. I Lift My Eyes
12. Word of God Speak
13. Arms of Love
14. We Exalt Thee*
15. My Savior and My God*
16. Strong Tower Live*
* Available on Strong Tower: Deluxe Edition
