Casting Crowns has quickly and remarkably become one of the fastest selling groups in Christian music history. With two full-length albums and two highly successful live projects in conjunction with those records, the band is poised to release their third album, The Altar and The Door. While their last two albums' success is nothing to sneeze at, the band in many respects of modern worship music has hit a snag in the originality department. With The Altar…, the group has upped the ante a bit, but still offers much of the same.
Highlights on The Altar and The Door include the rock-filled album kick-off, "What The World Needs," the single "East To West," the passionate "The World Is Alive", and the slow guitar-driven title track. Casting Crowns has been known for songs that have real life stories behind them, which has spawned hits like "Praise You In This Storm" and "Voice of Truth." But this time around, it seems that they've thrown in their own stories, but used others to speak for them. Some songs on the album feature people talking about topics that the songs are already touching on, leaving the listener with an overall feeling of disconnection. "What The World Needs" gets through much of the song without a problem, but then speaking parts tend to ruin it. Had it been left alone as-is, it would have made it much stronger. This tends to happen on a couple other tracks, ruining the listening experience, but making for a great message for radio.
Overall, most of the songs on this new release tend to copy what the group has done before, with slightly better lyrical content, yet more of the same musically. The album also ends with an almost bizarre hidden track, first sung in another language, then sung in English, serving as just an odd way to end the album. Expect less rock-infused anthems this time around, and more of what we've all come to expect from Casting Crowns: lack of originality, and millions of records sold.
- PReview date: 8/4/07, Review date: 8/23/07, written by Justin Mabee
|
|
Former Original Newsboys Member, John James, Launches Campaign to Fund New Music! Thu, 02 May 2024 16:35:00 EST |
Lauren Daigle Performs at GRAMMY on the Hill Awards Thu, 02 May 2024 16:25:00 EST |
Joseph SD Opens Up About Grace in New Single, "This Life" Thu, 02 May 2024 16:15:00 EST |
Illustrate and Procyse Continue Prepping For Their Upcoming Collab Project With New Single Thu, 02 May 2024 16:10:00 EST |
Jordan St. Cyr to Release Sophomore Album "My Foundation" June 14 Thu, 02 May 2024 16:00:00 EST |
Zane and Donna King Find Joy in the Journey with "Everything Good" Wed, 01 May 2024 14:00:00 EST |
AMERICAN IDOL Broadcasts LIVE Tribute to MANDISA featuring Colton Dixon, Danny Gokey and Melinda Doolittle Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:05:00 EST |
New Studies Link Improved Mental Health to Use of Digitally-Delivered Faith and Prayer Thu, 02 May 2024 20:42:48 +0000 |
DAD TIRED FOUNDER JERRAD LOPES EXPANDS POPULAR MINISTRY WITH DEBUT CHILDREN’S TITLE Wed, 10 Apr 2024 17:07:46 +0000 |
“Anything Goes” by Andrew Kerhoulas of Brother K Thu, 04 Apr 2024 02:54:00 +0000 |