Hearts for Others

Kutless’ latest recording, "Hearts of the Innocent," returns the band to its celebrated roots and features high-energy, hook-laden rock numbers along with a requisite supply of power ballads. Following last year’s considerably softer worship-oriented project, "Strong Tower," Sumrall says he and his bandmates were glad to get back to the hard-driving music they enjoy most.

“The worship record was different, but it really wasn’t our signature style,” he reveals. “We struggled with trying to make those songs our own, but, on the new record, we’ve made it sound the way we like.”

Sumrall suggests that much of the band’s earlier work compared favorably with acts such as Staind, Puddle of Mudd and Nickelback, but the current disc moves Kutless toward a different vibe. “With 'Hearts of the Innocent,' we’re going for more of a driving, straight-ahead rock & roll sound like Stone Temple Pilots and Foo Fighters,” he says.

Beyond the album’s sonic template, there’s a much deeper message about which Sumrall feels quite passionate. “The meaning behind the title track is what we are really focusing on,” he says, “and that’s raising awareness about how young people nowadays are being neglected by the older generation. You have kids whose parents aren’t around, so, whenever life throws them a curveball, there’s nobody around to help them grow and learn. They don’t know how to deal with emotions and pain. As a result, they just turn to whatever they can to try to survive and deal with things. Sometimes they turn to illegal activity or things like self-mutilation. Many are deeply depressed or have suicidal tendencies.”

Sumrall says the band often hears questions like “What’s wrong with youth today?” and “Why are kids so out of control?”

“What we say to that is ‘Who’s taught them to do anything differently?’” he answers. “These kids are being set up to fail because they’re not equipped to succeed in life. They grow up and don’t know how to live responsibly. We’re encouraging people to get involved in kids’ lives and to reach out and share Christ’s love with those who don’t have anyone helping them.”

Another profoundly meaningful track, according to Sumrall, is standout ballad “Promise of a Lifetime.” He says, “It was kind of a last-minute song that Aaron [Sprinkle] shared with us. He came in and said he thought he had written one of his best-ever melodies. Whenever we started writing the lyrics, I spent time thinking about how many promises nowadays are broken, like marriage vows.”