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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Altar & the Door| Posted November 06, 2007
I really love this CD. it isn't as good as their self-titled debut. but it's up there. I like "East to West" and have liked it ever since i heard it on the radio. this is a great CD. and they're not ashamed to sing about God, which is awesome!
Best Christian Song Played Today| Posted November 01, 2007
Casting Crowns were discovered just four years ago by a Christian music legend himself – Steven Curtis Chapman. After landing a recording contract with Reunion Records and vaulting to fame with songs such as Who Am I and Voice of Truth the band instantly became one of today’s most successful Christian artists. Their achievements include 2 Dove Awards, 1 Grammy Award and 8 GMA Music Awards. The band’s success continues to grow gaining more and more radio play and fans every day. After releasing two studio albums along with other Live recording albums and DVD’s the band set August 28th 2007 as their release date for the third Studio album, The Alter and the Door. In early July the band released their single East to West to their MySpace page and radio airwaves urging fans to order a copy of their new album, quoting that they should not be disappointed with the direction the band has went, referring to the style of the songs.
One thing that Casting Crowns should be noted for is that their lyrics speak what most people want to say. Speaking in real terms and sharing the bands feelings and struggles is what I feel makes Casting Crowns a fan favorite. East to West is no different than their other material in this means, and speaks exactly what millions of people feel on an everyday basis.
The opening lines set the mood for the song by sharing that we ‘yearn for peace and rest’ even when we are surrounded by yesterday’s chains that keep us tied to the bondages of our past. Even though we know that Jesus casts our sin aside once we ask for forgiveness, we still don’t fully live in that freedom.
Mark Hall (lead vocalist) breaks into the course by asking Jesus to show him just how far He has cast them, and then referring to the East to West - which shows that there is no possible limit in the distance. Christ’s truth gets drowned out while we are in storms of life, and in our human nature we forget that Jesus still does cast our sins aside.
Time and time again the song goes back to how the war begins at the start of everyday and how we are constantly reminded of our faults and failures. During these times we let go of the truth Jesus spoke of and find ourselves standing, thinking ‘just how far is the east from the west’. Again the course breaks out asking Jesus to show us just how far the east is from the west and is finally answered – from one scarred hand to the other.
Frankly, East to West is possibly one of the best Christian songs that is being played today. All throughout the song the truth of Christ’s forgiveness is displayed and I feel this is the most important message to portray to people. Vocally, I feel that this is some of Casting Crowns' finest, and I, along with thousands of fans am extremely excited for the success of their new CD release.
Great Album| Posted October 18, 2007
The way this group approachs their songs is just amazing! I not only love to listen to the way the words are put, but the music is beautiful! But most importantly it shares the Word of God, and in a day where just that is being over looked that is just what we need! I myself feel that the music is for all ages and is very calming and encouraging. And now adays that is more important then ever.
Loved it!| Posted October 16, 2007
When I first listened to the cd, I wasn't sure if I liked it as well as their previous music. The more I listened to it, the more it got to me, and now I absolutely love this cd! Casting Crowns has always been one of my favorite bands, and they did not disappoint me with this cd.
Wow.| Posted October 13, 2007
Wow. What else can I say? And even as a huge Casting Crowns fan with great expectations, The Altar and the Door exceeded all expectations. The song 'The World is Alive' and 'East to West' are my favorite songs on the album, the sound is amazing and we all know that lead vocalist, Mark Hall, could sing the phone book and it would become a hit. 'Payer for a Friend' is so powerful it brought be to tears. Casting Crowns has a great sound, great lyrics, and fantastic vocals, their talent blows my mind. God has really used them in my life and many others as well and I'm sure that He will continue to use them in the lives of many others in the years to come.
Awesome!!| Posted September 23, 2007
This, by far, is their best album made. It has such wonderful songs on it. East to West is my favorite with Slow Fade right behind. I also love the title track, The Altar and the Door. Somewhere in the Middle is also tops. I'm a big fan of Casting Crowns, so I love all their music, but this one is absolutely the BEST!
Well done again, Casting Crowns!| Posted September 18, 2007
Casting Crowns has done it again!
With thought-provoking lyrics and heart-driven melodies, Mark Hall leads us to considerations of whether we are living out our faith genuinely on a day-to-day basis.
"Slow Fade" reminds us that we need to make a conscious effort to guard our hearts against the negative influences of this world; that if we relinquish control of our hearts and minds to our culture, it will slowly but surely take us over and guide us down a path that can cause unnecessary pain not only to ourselves, but to everyone that we come into daily contact with, particularly our families.
My favorite song on this album, "East to West", gave me chills the first time I heard it. The thought that Christ holds His arms wide open to us, with scars on His hands and no memory of our sin, just blows me away. We only need to let go of what we think makes sense, and just humbly ask His forgiveness, and He chooses to put it out of His mind as if it never happened at all. You can't help but fall on your knees in worship at that eternal truth.
The upbeat title track gets your foot tapping and your lips humming, and considering whether we truly are living out what we set out to do. We sit in church and soak up teachings, we make commitments to ourselves to change and live for Him more, but often times we leave the building and go about our lives as usual without really changing at all. Making a heart change is wonderful and great, but unless we live it out, we aren't going to impact this world for Christ in an effective way.
"Somewhere in the Middle" shows us that living on the fence is a precarious place to be. A balancing act like that allows us to be pulled in opposite directions, always having to compromise who and what we are. Just let go, step off that line and fall into the arms of God, and give Him all the control, and you'll find your feet.
Includes collaborations with Nichole Nordeman ("Every Man") and Steven Curtis Chapman ("The Word Is Alive").
I love that Mark Hall writes more than just vertical worship songs. With a contemporary feel, he continues to help us ponder our effects on each other as we live our lives out. Living for Him is more than just a relationship between us and Himself--it extends much wider to our earthly families, our church family, our friends, our neighbors, to strangers we meet every day and even to those on the other side of the planet. The choices we make this very moment have a domino effect on the kingdom of God here and now, as well as there and later.(See Matthew 22:37-40 and Hebrews 13:1-3.)
Casting Crowns continues to challenge us: How many crowns will you lay at His feet? Live obediently this moment, and then the next, and pretty soon you'll instead be asking yourself, who else can I encourage to be able to lay crowns, too?
Outstanding and worthy of praise!| Posted September 16, 2007
I remember the first time I heard Casting Crowns on the radio several years ago. It wasn't Mark Hall's voice, the band's music, or even the harmonies sung that drew me in. It was the lyrics. I was going through a situation that "Voice of Truth" so eloquently and accurately addressed. I honestly felt the Lord meant for me to hear that song at that particular time. I decided to go ahead and buy that album and found every song spoke volumes to me. Now here we are 3 albums later and once again, Mark and his amazing ensemble of musicians have done it again. They have put together an album that speaks volumes to my heart.
I really like the way that Casting Crowns' albums generally have a theme. This album is no exception. I find the theme throughout this album is about staying in our comfort zone also known as the middle ground- the safety zone. But he also addresses the middle as in the 'gray area' which we all have to deal with on a daily basis no doubt. Mark sings about how we all have good intentions but when it comes to stepping out of our comfort zone for God we say...'no way!'. We give God a list that says I'll do this and this but there is no way I can or will do that or that. Fear is usually the biggest reason most of us don't step out of our comfort zone. I am in no way pointing a finger because I find I am probably the guiltiest of all at doing this. That said, this album truly helps me to understand why I do what I do and how to remedy it. It inspires me to seek out the Lord in His Word and in prayer and meditation.
The first song on the album: "What This World Needs" is a great way to start off the album. It has a rocky edge that draws you in to its chorus and before you know it you are singing along. I actually had to listen to this song several times before I could fully appreciate what Mark was trying to say.
Song #2: Every Man- This song references the fact that no matter who we are or what we've done there is Hope for us. Hope comes in the form of Jesus Who knows how we feel and can understand what we are going through.
#3: Slow Fade- This is an amazing song that helps us realize that no one goes from being on fire for the Lord to dabbling with sin in one day. No, instead it is a slow fade. Satan knows the best attack is a gradual attack which makes black and white fade into gray.
#4: East to West- One of my favorites on this album. This is one of the songs on this album that speaks to me personally. It is with songs like this that I wonder if maybe God isn't giving Mark a look into my heart. (As if I'm the only one struggling with issues like this. ;-) )
#5: The Word Is Alive- As the title indicates, this song is about the Bible and how It brings forth hope to the hopeless and frail.
#6: The Altar and the Door- One of my favorites also. "The Altar and the Door" musically has a lot to offer. It is very upbeat and easy to sing along with. This song is one of the many that teaches about how we get caught in the middle and lose our follow through between the altar and the door. I believe we all are guilty of this at some point in our walk with the Lord.
#7: Somewhere in the Middle- This is my absolute favorite song on the album for several reasons. One of which is that this song is easy to sing along with and secondly, because it is such a deep song that carries a great amount of meaning. I really think it should be my "anthem". I admire Mark's clever word play- "Fearless warriors on a picket fence, Reckless abandon wrapped in common sense, deep-water faith in the shallow end, We are caught in the middle with eyes wide open to the differences, The God we want and the God who is..." What Mark illustrates here is how contrary and fickle we as the body of Christ can be. We know right from wrong and we know how to discern truth from fiction, but yet we stay in the middle ground where it is safe and easy instead of standing up for what is right...which reminds me of the great story of the three young men thrown into the fiery furnace.
#8: I Know You're There: This song is great! One of the ladies from Casting Crowns sings this. She does a terrific job and is able to carry her own without any problem. This song is about knowing that God is always there for us.
#9: Prayer for a Friend: This song, which sounds close to a ballad, is about those we are closest to getting caught up in the world and we want nothing more than to bring them back to the Lord.
#10: All Because of Jesus: This is a praise and worship song that I think will one day be sung in churches all over the world.
#11: White Dove: This song is completely different from anything Casting Crowns has ever done. I am not a big fan of it though I have to applaud them for trying something different.
I highly recommend this album to anyone who worships with music. I also recommend it to anyone who is feeling lost in this big world. Casting Crowns does a great job of helping its listener connect (or re-connect) with God.
One more note: This album is GREAT to work out with!!! I do my strength training and cardio workouts with this album. I also like jogging to this album.
wow!| Posted September 15, 2007
I love this cd. This cd should their grow with God and Jesus. I love all the song.If you hear or buy it yet please do. I everyone in family listen to it.
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