Since their debut in 2002, Kutless has taken the Christian music industry by storm. Now headlining their own tour, as well as gracing the cover of this month's CCM Magazine, Kutless has done in less than two years what most bands cannot achieve in a lifetime.

Their debut was not anything original by any means. The Creed comparisons were everywhere, and for good reason. It was grunge rock with a message. But there was something you had to like about these guys. Yes, they weren't very original, but they had enough songs that rocked to sell their fair share of records.

They have the fan base, the name everyone knows, so now all they have to do is release a sophomore record that can match the impact their debut had. Are they successful?

Sea of Faces opens with blazing guitars on "Not What You See." Misleading, actually, as this is a much, much softer project than their debut. Don't get me wrong, the guitar licks are still there, but the overall tone is much more mellow and melodic than previously. This is almost a totally different sound than their debut. Yes, you can very easily distinguish that this is Kutless, but, as stated, this is much more melodic than the music of Kutless we are used to. The hard edge is toned down to a degree, and that takes away from the Creed comparisons we are used to.

Lyrically, Kutless has matured. The Christian messages are loud and clear, louder than even their first release. They sing of living for God on "All the Words" and our prerogative to take God for granted on "Treason." "Tell me a reason why this isn't a treason / I swear I'm back, but then it turns out it's only a season." My personal favorite lyrically is "Perspective" where the guys talk about realizing that, in the hard times, someone always has it worse than you. "Why can't you see that freedom is sometimes another perspective away. Who could you be if your lens was changed for a moment? Would you still be the same?"

Anyone looking for some good Christian rock should look no further than Sea of Faces. Those who have been looking forward to this release for a long time coming might find it a bit disappointing. The hard rock edge is not gone, but it is somewhere lost in the melodies. This is a good release, but I know most Kutless fans are expecting more.

- Review date: 02/29/04, written by Josh Taylor