Surrender (Kutless album)

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.

Surrender
Studio album by
Kutless
ReleasedNovember 13, 2015 (2015-11-13)
StudioThe Pier, Thompson's Station, Tennessee / The Holiday Ian, Franklin, Tennessee
GenreChristian rock, hard rock, worship
Length37:58
LabelBEC
ProducerAaron Sprinkle, Ian Eskelin
Kutless chronology
Glory
(2014)		 Surrender
(2015)		 Alpha / Omega
(2017)

History

On November 6, 2015 the song "Mirror" was released.

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
365 Days of Inspiring Media[2]
CCM Magazine[3]
The Christian Beat4.7/5[4]
HM Magazine[5]
Jesus Freak Hideout[6]
Jesus Wired95/100[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
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Tear It Up"James Mead, Jon Micah Sumrall, Aaron Sprinkle3:04
2."Bring It On"Sumrall, Ian Eskelin, Tony Wood, Barry Weeks3:18
3."Mirror"Mead, Nick de Partee3:37
4."Love Come Crashing Down"Sumrall, Eskelin, Wood, Brian White2:58
5."I Will Go"Sumrall, Matt Arcaini, Josiah Prince, Wood3:29
6."Overcome"Scott Krippayne, Sumrall, Mead3:32
7."Not Too Far"Mead, Sumrall, Sprinkle3:43
8."Loved"Krippayne, Bryan Reynolds3:54
9."One Thing Remains"Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Jeremy Riddle4:44
10."My Heart Is a Ghost"Mead, Sumrall, Sprinkle5:39
Total length:37:58

Personnel

Kutless

  • Jon Micah Sumrall – lead and backing vocals, piano
  • James Mead – guitars
  • Neal Cameron – bass guitar, backing vocals (photographed in the album booklet's liner notes, but does not perform on the album)
  • Drew Porter – drums

Additional Musicians

Tracks #1, 3 & 5-10
  • Jesse Sprinkle – drums
  • Aaron Sprinkle – bass, keyboards, programming, percussion, additional guitars, additional vocals
Tracks #2 & 4
  • Mike Payne – guitar
  • Tony Lucido – bass
  • Ben Phillips – drums

Production
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
  • 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
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

In 2016, 'Surrender' was nominated for a Dove Award for 'Best Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year'.[13]

References
  1. Staff (October 2, 2015). "Kutless Announce New Album 'Surrender' Ahead Of Tour". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  2. Andre, Joshua (December 30, 2015). "Music Reviews: Kutless – Surrender". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  3. Conner, Matt (December 16, 2015). "Kutless – 'Surrender' album review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  4. Major, Chris (November 16, 2015). "Kutless Delivers Well-Orchestrated, Energetic & Inspiring "Surrender" Album". The Christian Beat. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  5. Gonzalez, Jordan (December 15, 2015). "Kutless – Surrender". HM Magazine. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  6. Smith, Christopher (November 6, 2015). "Kutless, "Surrender" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  7. Carothers, Sam (April 26, 2016). "Review: Kutless – Surrender". Jesus Wired. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  8. Francesco, Jonathan J. (November 2, 2015). "Kutless Tears It Up". New Release Today. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  9. Heilman, Jay (December 22, 2015). "Kutless 'Surrender'". Today's Christian Entertainment. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  10. "Kutless Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  11. "Kutless Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  12. "Kutless Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  13. "2016 Nominees - The 48th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
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