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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Daring and Comfortable| Posted September 14, 2007
Most artists these days are afraid to change anything about their sound for fear of rejection. Casting Crowns has covered both the new sound and the familiar. Being adventurous and still producing that which we are all familiar. I really liked the new sound and was pleased to still hear the old Casting Crowns sounds. Good Job Gang!! I Love It!
Casting Crowns has yet to disappoint.| Posted August 30, 2007
This new album is just as much of a blessing as the rest. It can be hard at times to uphold your testimony when you've been through a hard week of work and stress and problems, surrounded by unsaved people that want nothing more than to see you slip up...this CD really reminds us that we're going to and its natural, but we should strive to keep what we take from the altar through the door and into our outside lives. That we're not out to impress anyone or make anyone feel inferior or to shove the word in their face and tell them all they're doing wrong, but just to love them and tell them what they really need...Jesus. We express the love of Christ through compassion, because often times the world wont care how many Bible verses you can quote...but a smile or a caring ear means the world and remember that sometimes we just have to step out of the way and let Jesus do the work in their heart.
A blessing!| Posted August 30, 2007
I received this cd before it dropped because I pre-ordered it. It is amazing! I haven't stopped listening to it. It is truly a blessing.
My fav songs are Slow Fade and East to West.
Very Cool!| Posted August 29, 2007
Just listned to this and I'm glad to say that they are not compromising one bit. The message, the music, both very excellent and powerfull. Thank you Casting Crowns for being steadfast in your ministry, I know how easy it is to compromise, I'm sure it's harder being a music icon. Once again, thank you for your excellence!!
Casting Crowns| Posted August 29, 2007
This album is just amazing! I bought it as soon as it came out! East to West is my favorite song! But there are many other good songs as well, Slow Fade, What This World Needs, and The Altar and The Door! I love this album, and I think it's their best one yet!
Casting Crowns Hits a Bump In the Road| Posted August 28, 2007
The song, "East to the West" is just great Casting Crowns. Slow build up, powerful conclusion, great lyrics, and inspiring music. The rest, I'm afraid, is not as great.
'What This World Needs,' while being one of CC's rockier songs, is lacking in the thrust that the other rockers had. It feels watered down and forced, and gets tiring. 'Every Man' is not pleasing to the ear, and has a very basic concept that is unlike CC's past convicting songs. 'Slow Fade,' though, is one of the album's highlights, and possibly their next single; it warns of how people do not fall in a day, they slowly fade, and its certainly aimed to show what pornography can do...the whole thing about little feet following, little eyes seeing, and Mark Hall's daughter's sweet singing try to impress that when you go down, you take others (more specifically, the children) along with you.
'The Word Is Alive' is a nice song, but rather dull. 'The Altar and the Door' has a great chorus, with Mark Hall's vocals reaching their highest point yet. 'Somewhere in the Middle', possibly a single also, is the last good song. 'I Know You're There', and 'Prayer for a Friend' are both strangely dull and emotionless. 'All Because of Jesus', you would think, would either be a great, soft closer, or a rousing finale...it is neither. It just fades into the dull, unimaginative mix that is the rest of this CD.
This album, if you are a CC fan, is still worth the money, but if you are not, go buy 'Lifesong' instead. There are much better songs on that album. Casting Crowns just seems to have lost a lot their vigor, passion, and earnestness here. Nothing like 'Praise You In the Storm,' 'Set Me Free,' or 'Who Am I?' But I'm hoping this is simply a bump in the road, and that Casting Crowns will rebound with another powerful set of songs. Until then, you can enjoy the few good songs on this album.
Amazing...| Posted August 19, 2007
This CD is sure to be amazing. If you go to YouTube you can preview some of the songs already (hint hint). :) Someone on there already has posted some of them. I really like Slow Fade, and I just heard them sing East to West and All Because of Jesus live in concert this past Thursday evening. I was blown away. And for those who don't get the hardcore CC fans... you just won't understand it. :) They continue to lead people to Jesus...and they give all the credit where it belongs... to Jesus. That's amazing in and of itself for a group. I would suggest going to one of their concerts ...
Great New CD| Posted August 18, 2007
I got this CD in the music resource that I get for the youth ministry that I lead. I sat down and listened to the CD and read the lyrics too. The lyrics are thought out and have many Scripture passages for each song. Casting Crowns is again speaking to the church and Christians on this CD. It challenges all of us to follow what Scripture says about different topics. I also like that Casting Crowns doesn't just focus on the band but are ministers at their local church. I think that this helps keep their lyrics saturated in Christ. I also like that the lead singer is a youth pastor. If you like Casting Crowns first two CDs you will like this one.
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