After two Platinum-selling albums (Casting Crowns & Lifesong), two Platinum live projects (Live from Atlanta & Lifesong Live), numerous awards, and one of the most successful headlining tours in our industry, one might expect a different Casting Crowns. Those who meet this exceptional group, however, quickly realize they are still the same down-to-earth people with ministry at the heart of what they do both on the road, and in their local churches where each of the members serve on-staff or as laypeople, including lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall who still holds his post as youth pastor at his home church.
Casting Crowns' third album, The Altar and The Door, draws on this first-hand ministry experience with real people, real life struggle and the faith that overcomes. "At the altar, everything makes sense," says Hall. "When we're in the church and spending time with God, we know what we're supposed to do and how to live. Everything is black and white. But somewhere between the altar and the door, when we leave and go out into our lives, it all leaks out. Everything gets gray again. It's like we have these two lives, and the Christian life is the journey between the altar and door....trying to get the things you've got in your head, into your hands, into your feet, and into your life. This album is all about that journey of realization, the struggles we encounter and the victory of seeing it as possible."
The band is excited about the next ministry chapter to unfold, and is already planning Fall and Spring legs of The Altar and The Door Tour. With the debut radio single hitting in June and widespread media coverage starting late summer through the fall, this album is set to be another phenomenal release setting records and, more importantly, impacting hearts.
Video: "East To West: EPK"
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TOP 10 ALBUM OF 2007| Posted November 19, 2007
Mark Hall, lead singer of Casting Crowns and the group's main songwriter, recently said that the group's music is simply a means to the message, and it's apparent through The Altar & The Door that Casting Crowns continues to have things to say. There's something about they way they encourage, challenge, question and entertain in every song that no other group in Christian music is doing.
The third studio release contains some of their most powerful songs and moments including the first single "East To West" which speaks of the immeasurable distance God places between Himself and our sin and "The Word Is Alive," an instant anthem on the fact that God's word and promises are as real today as they were two thousand years ago. As a father with a wife and daughter to protect, the song "Slow Fade" reminded me that Satan attacks with baby steps, barely noticeable in the day to day. It continues to challenge me to run towards God. "I Know Your There" finds vocalist Melanie stepping up on lead and she carries it beautifully.
However, the group's third album is also their weakest offering to date. Maybe it's the constant interruption of music for youth group chatter, shouting preachers or a daughter's serenade (I'll never say it isn't cute). It could be the suddenly weak ending with "Prayer For A Friend" and the confusing hidden track that made no sense until it was explained to me at a concert that it was inspired by their recent visit to China. That said, I keep coming back to these songs and having to stop what I'm doing to reflect on my relationship with Christ, and that's why I'm still extraordinarily interested in what they have to say.
Great, but not CC's best work| Posted September 06, 2007
Most of the reviews on this site are based solely on the strength of "East to West" and were posted before this album even released. I also love that song, along with "The Altar and the Door", "Slow Fade" and "Somewhere In The Middle". Those 4 songs are so good that this is the best overall Christian release of 2007, however it is the 3rd best Casting Crowns album. Epilogue has some insightful comments about the other songs not being up to the incredibly high standard set by Casting Crowns, however it is still a great album compared to other releases this year and a must-have.
Lets hope Cansting Crowns is not on a slow fade| Posted March 05, 2008
Being one of the most popular artists in today's Christian music, for good reason, it can be tough to be consistently good. Honesty this writer thought Casting Crowns would fall at the album Lifesong, but Casting Crowns put out another incredible album. But is their third and latest album the Alter and the door as good? The answer is no. the music does not have the smoothness of previous albums and the lyrics not quite as good. Nonetheless this is still a brilliant album.
Setting the stage for this much anticipated album was the smash hit single "east to west" the simple soft song which is not a great Casting Crowns song but considering the competition how could it not be a hit? The album starts out with "What this world needs" a good rock song, "everyman" is next but the chorus of the song is not impressive. The "word is alive" is a good light rock song, and the title track "the alter and the door" is good also but the high notes on the words 'cry', 'eyes', and 'try' prevent the song from being great. On every Casting Crowns CD the first half is great but the second half is lacking, the same is true again.
The ironic thing is the problem with the second half is with songs they didn't write. The radio single by Fee "all because of Jesus" and Jeff Chandler's "I know you are there" both have spots on the ten track album. My conclusion of those two lone worship songs is that Casting Crowns should write their own songs. "Prayer for a friend" is very soft anda little weak, but conveys a decent message. The other rock song on the album is "slow fade" which is excellent musically and the lyrics are nothing short of fantastic. The only drawback from this incredible song is the singing debut of Reagan Hall at the end of the song, which takes away from the urgency of the song.
Mark Hall write some of the best lyrics in the business; he sings about not being content with where we are but getting to be where we should be ("somewhere in the middle" the would be title track) to not just being good on Sunday, but taking God with you the rest of the week ("the alter and the door"). Some of the messages are simple but they are still a cut above the average lot for some reason ("east to west" and "every man"). "the world is alive" is a good song, but what makes it great is the case it makes for the authenticity of the Bible.
The Alter and the Door is not as good as previous Casting Crowns albums, now that it's out in the open this is still one of the best CD's out there today. Avoiding singing about God in his glory all the time like Chris Tomlin or Aaron Shust, Casting Crowns goes for the deeper messages in life and the Bible. And it has worked out well so far as they accomplished a monster hit single, an album that was the number two besting selling even among secular CDs. A good inspirational album, but let's hope Casting Crowns doesn't slip.
Wait...| Posted August 14, 2007
I don't get it. How is it that that it's two weeks till this album released, yet it has 15 reviews? And has a average rating of 5 stars? I will never get the hardcore Casting Crowns fans. Even I'm not reviewing the upcoming Relient K before it releases. And if I do, somebody please slap me. If this isn't totally misleading, I don't know what is. And I still think Casting Crowns is totally overrated and their radio single of this album sucks like a vacuum cleaner! Oooh, I'll get hate mail for that.
this album really shows how the world sees us as and how they try to treat us but really need what we have in our lives. i pray people will see what they need and we can help them see that by being happy, reaching out to them, acting different from our neighbors and not being afraid of inviting them to christian events which they may not be used to going to.
The Altar and the Door| Posted November 14, 2011
Yet another great release from Casting Crowns. It's great to have a band that is upfront, straightforward and direct in their focus on Christ and their musical mission. This release initially didn't attract me as much as the bands first two releases, but the songs have grown on me over time and are as engaging and thought provoking as always.
A very good cd.| Posted November 05, 2011
It is a very good cd. I highly recommend it. I've actually seen a lot of the song on this cd made into skits that were very powerrful. I feel like when I hear Casting Crowns songs it's like God is talking to you. I believe that God is using them to help people.
TOP O' THE CHARTS| Posted July 02, 2011
This is probably my favorite Casting Crowns album of all time. Okay, I like all of their material but this album just has something about it that makes you want to listen to it over and over. "What This World Needs" is in my top 10 list of greatest Christian songs. "Slow Fade" is a song that really makes you think about your life and the choices you make. "Every Man" is also a great song that makes you think. "East to West" gets the most credit on this album but all of the songs are top quality. A high recommendation to all.
Their Best Work!| Posted December 15, 2010
I have to say that I have loved all of the songs/albums that Casting Crowns has made. But "The Altar and the Door" beats all.
Great message in each and every one of the songs that really makes you think and worship Christ in a whole new way.
The Altar and the Door| Posted December 23, 2009
The much anticipated release from Casting Crowns has been out on the streets for a few weeks now and has enjoyed multiple rpm's in my CD player. Whether you're a fan or not, if you've listened to them you know their debut CD was simply awesome. And they didn't disappoint on their softmore effort, "Lifesong". Minus a Live version of the debut album, "The Alter and the Door" is technically the third release by Crowns.
With a balanced mix of worship tunes and challenging anthems, the greatest drawback to "The Alter and the Door" is that it is limited to only 10 songs (plus a hidden track that will transport you to Oahu). Splattered with the fingerprints of other talented songwriters such as Nichole Nordeman (Every Man) and Steven Curtis Chapman (The Word is Alive), the hardest impacting songs on this disc appear when when the band members keep songwriting duties in the family.
If Christians sat up and took notice when hearing "If We Are The Body" for the first time, there are bound to be some ripples throughout the church when listening to what I believe is the best song on the album - "What This World Needs". Check out these lyrics penned by front man Mark Hall and guitarist Hector Cervantes:
Verse: What this world needs is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind, Another two bit politician peddling lies, Another three ring circus society. What this world needs is not another sign waving super saint that's better than you, Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth, Another prophet in an Armani suit.
Verse: What this world needs is for us to care more about the inside than the outside, Have we become so blind that we can't see, God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt. What this world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance, Blending in so well that people can't see the difference, And it's the difference that sets the world free.
Bridge: (spoken) People aren't confused by the Gospel. They're confused by us. Jesus is the only way to God but we are not the only way to Jesus. The world doesn't need my tie or my hoodie, my denomination or my translation of the Bible. They just need Jesus. We can be passionate about what we believe but we can't strap ourselves to the Gospel. We're slowing it down. Jesus is going to save the world but maybe, the best thing we can do, is just get out of the way.
Chorus: What this world needs, is a Savior who will rescue, A Spirit who will lead, A Father who will love them in their time of need. A Savior who will rescue, A Spirit who will lead, A Father who will love - that's what this world needs.
Current radio favorite "East to West", the album's namesake "The Alter and the Door", the song that cemented the albums theme "Somewhere in the Middle" along with the worshipful "All Because of Jesus" should provide radio exposure well into 2008. And Mark's personal comments in the liner notes are worth bypassing the temptation to download this CD from iTunes and driving down to your local Christian bookstore to pick up your copy.
...Lord, this time I'll make it right, here at the altar I lay my life. Your kingdom come but my will was done. My heart is broken as I cry, like so many times before but my eyes dry before I leave the floor. Oh Lord, I try but this time, Jesus, how can I be sure I will not lose my follow through - between the altar and the door?
The Best Album...Ever!| Posted August 27, 2009
Not only is this Casting Crowns' best work, but it is the all-time greatest album in my opinion.
"What The World Needs" is an excellent album opener and energetically rockets the compilation into motion.
"Every Man" I was a bit dissapointed with as a single but it's great for the CD. The lyrics are also painfully true.
"Slow Fade" is perhaps the best lyrically. "It's a slow fade/when you give yourself away/it's a slow fade/when black and white have turned to gray/. The music is also irresistable.
"East to West", the first single, can at times put me to sleep, but I love the lyrics and the tune can become catchy as well.
"The Word Is Alive" illustrates a wonderful truth but is near the bottom of my favorite songs on the CD.
"The Altar and the Door" is definitely my favorite on the CD. With catchy guitar licks and an unforgettable chorus, this is not one you can pass up.
"Somewhere in the Middle" is excellently worded but will put you to sleep.
"I Know You're There", the only song not led by Mark Hall, gives a female voice. Not the best. Take it or leave it.
"Prayer for a Friend" is definitely the worst on the CD. It is a follow-up of "Here I Go Again" from their original self-titled release in '03.
"All Because of Jesus", a remake of Fee's instant hit, is well played but the hidden track at the end of the song is one of the worst sounds that my ears have heard in a while, second only to MercyMe.
The CD is awesome overall and I highly reccomend it. I can't wait for their 11/17/09 release, "Until The Whole World Hears".
A masterpiece...| Posted March 10, 2009
Casting Crowns has continued to wow the world with their truly inspirational music which both teaches and relates to the lives of many who have heard Mark Hall and the rest sing to their heart's content. Their single "East to West" was #1 on the Christian hits charts for 19 consecutive weeks. Other singles include the title song "The Altar and the Door" and "Every Man", another one of their hit singles. One of their more soft touching songs "Prayer For A Friend is also included.
God bless them and let's be ready for their next work of musical art.
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