Surrender (Kutless album)
| Surrender | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 13, 2015 | |||
| Studio | The Pier (Thompson's Station, Tennessee)
| |||
| Genre | Christian rock | |||
| Length | 37:58 | |||
| Label | BEC | |||
| Producer | Aaron Sprinkle | |||
| Kutless chronology | ||||
| ||||
Surrender is the ninth studio album by the Christian rock band Kutless. It was released by BEC Recordings on November 13, 2015. This album marks the return of long-time producer Aaron Sprinkle; the band's first record with him since Hearts of the Innocent in 2006.[1] This is also the first album to feature bassist Neal Cameron and drummer Drew Porter, the latter of whom replaced previous drummer Kyle Peek.
History[edit]
On November 6, 2015 the song "Mirror" was released.[citation needed]
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| 365 Days of Inspiring Media |   [2] |
| CCM Magazine |  [3] |
| The Christian Beat | 4.7/5[4] |
| HM Magazine | [5] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | [6] |
| Jesus Wired | 95/100[7] |
| New Release Today | [8] |
| Today's Christian Entertainment | [9] |
Signaling in a three and a half star review from CCM Magazine, Matt Conner recognizes, "the band stays true to form on Surrender".[3] Jordan Gonzalez, indicating in a three star review by HM Magazine, responds, "Surrender isn't a bad album, but it's not impressive, either."[5] Awarding the album four stars at New Release Today, Jonathan J. Francesco states, "Kutless is back! Maybe not quite better than ever, but with a strong and satisfying return to the sound that made them famous. Surrender is a success and should give those who missed a rocking Kutless the album they've spent the better part of a decade waiting for."[8] Christopher Smith, giving the album three and a half stars for Jesus Freak Hideout, writes, "Kutless fans old and new will want to give Surrender a spin...It's not without its hiccups, but you might be surprised how much you'll like it."[6] Rating the album a 4.7 out of five from The Christian Beat, Chris Major says, "Surrender is a powerful, impactful collection of praise and worship."[4] Joshua Andre, indicating in a four star review at 365 Days of Inspiring Media, responds, "With hard rock, CCM, worship and pop/rock all working together in harmony; Surrender is sure to impact the lives of many, and surprise us all in a good way!"[2] Allotting the album 4.6 stars from Today's Christian Entertainment, Jay Heilman replies, "Surrender is an album that new and old fans alike will enjoy for a long time to come."[9] Sam Carothers, indicating in a 95 out of 100 review from Jesus Wired, writes, "Surrender is satisfying to fans new and old with its elements of edgy rock infused with straight-up contemporary worship."[7]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tear It Up" | James Mead, Jon Micah Sumrall, Aaron Sprinkle | 3:04 |
| 2. | "Bring It On" | Sumrall, Ian Eskelin, Tony Wood, Barry Weeks | 3:18 |
| 3. | "Mirror" | Mead, Nick de Partee | 3:37 |
| 4. | "Love Come Crashing Down" | Sumrall, Eskelin, Wood, Brian White | 2:58 |
| 5. | "I Will Go" | Sumrall, Matt Arcaini, Josiah Prince, Wood | 3:29 |
| 6. | "Overcome" | Scott Krippayne, Sumrall, Mead | 3:32 |
| 7. | "Not Too Far" | Mead, Sumrall, Sprinkle | 3:43 |
| 8. | "Loved" | Krippayne, Bryan Reynolds | 3:54 |
| 9. | "One Thing Remains" | Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Jeremy Riddle | 4:44 |
| 10. | "My Heart Is a Ghost" | Mead, Sumrall, Sprinkle | 5:39 |
| Total length: | 37:58 | ||
Personnel[edit]
Kutless
- Jon Micah Sumrall – lead and backing vocals, acoustic piano
- James Mead – guitars (1, 3, 5-10)
- Neal Cameron – bass guitar, backing vocals (photographed in the album booklet's liner notes, but does not perform on the album)
- Drew Porter – drums (1, 3, 5-10)
Additional Musicians
- Tracks #1, 3 & 5-10
- Aaron Sprinkle – keyboards, programming, additional guitars, bass, percussion, additional vocals
- Jesse Sprinkle – drums
- Tracks #2 & 4
- Mike Payne – guitars
- Tony Lucido – bass
- Ben Phillips – drums
Production[edit]
Tracks #1, 3 & 5-10
- Aaron Sprinkle – producer, engineer
- Lee Unfried – drum engineering at OMNISound, Nashville, Tennessee
- Josh Auer – mixing
- Troy Glessner – mastering for Spectre Mastering (Seattle, Washington)
- Jon Micah Sumrall – vocal and guitar engineering, additional production
- James Mead – vocal and guitar engineering, additional production
- Brian Moore – drum technician
Tracks #2 & 4
- Ian Eskelin – producer
- Barry Weeks – engineer
- Anthony Porcheddu – additional engineering and programming
- Ainslie Grosser – mixing
Additional Credits
- Conor Farley – A&R
- Chris Edmiston – management for West Coast Artist Management
- Nick de Partee – album design for Equal Seven Creative (equalseven.com)
- Eric Brown – photography for Eric Brown Photo (ericbrownphoto.com)
Chart performance[edit]
| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Christian Albums (Billboard)[10] | 13 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard)[11] | 24 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[12] | 37 |
Awards and nominations[edit]
In 2016, 'Surrender' was nominated for a Dove Award for 'Best Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year'.[13]
References[edit]
- ^ Staff (October 2, 2015). "Kutless Announce New Album 'Surrender' Ahead Of Tour". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ a b Andre, Joshua (December 30, 2015). "Music Reviews: Kutless – Surrender". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
- ^ a b Conner, Matt (December 16, 2015). "Kutless – 'Surrender' album review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
- ^ a b Major, Chris (November 16, 2015). "Kutless Delivers Well-Orchestrated, Energetic & Inspiring "Surrender" Album". The Christian Beat. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ a b Gonzalez, Jordan (December 15, 2015). "Kutless – Surrender". HM Magazine. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ^ a b Smith, Christopher (November 6, 2015). "Kutless, "Surrender" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
- ^ a b Carothers, Sam (April 26, 2016). "Review: Kutless – Surrender". Jesus Wired. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- ^ a b Francesco, Jonathan J. (November 2, 2015). "Kutless Tears It Up". New Release Today. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ a b Heilman, Jay (December 22, 2015). "Kutless 'Surrender'". Today's Christian Entertainment. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- ^ "Kutless Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
- ^ "Kutless Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
- ^ "Kutless Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
- ^ "2016 Nominees - The 48th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
