Ministry is what defines Casting Crowns. All of the members are still active in local church ministry in spite of the over 200 concert appearances they have made over the last 2 years. Mark Hall, in fact, is still employed as the youth pastor at his home church, although he has had to hire some additional help due to his hectic schedule
"It is the ministry that creates the songs, not the other way around," states Hall. And the same is true for Lifesong, the much-anticipated sophomore release from Casting Crowns. From the anthemic title cut to the moving ballad, "Praise You In the Storm," this new album is once again an unapologetic collection of messages targeting the church.
"All of life is worship. If we're not careful we will 'praise worship' and 'worship praise.' We begin to look at worship as an experience when, in reality, our corporate worship is simply the culmination of the life we should be living all week long. The songs on this new album try to look at what a life of worship looks like. Whether we are called to 'Praise God in this Storm' or simply 'Love Them Like Jesus' we must begin to see all of life as about Him and not us. That is what we want to say to the church this time around."
Click here to add a video. Click to add lyrics if not listed.
Let Your Lifesong Sing| Posted February 12, 2008
Casting Crowns strong debut helped boost them to elite status in the Christian music industry. They have some of the best record sales of any in the industry. But I don't think Casting Crowns really cares about the record sales, I think they care more about seeing lives changed by Christ. "Lifesong" is a wonderful album, it picks up right where the debut album left off. "While You Were Sleeping" is my favorite Casting Crown's song so naturally it's my favorite on the album. Other great tracks include: "Praise You In This Storm", "Set Me Free", "Prodigal", and the closer "And Now My Lifesong Sings". Pick it up and help support this fantastic group.
Impressive| Posted February 05, 2008
This to me is the best Crowns CD. I love how they speak out with their lyrics and what they say is so so true in so many instances.
Does anybody here her is one of the songs that really struck a chord with me because they put it perfectly when they talk about judging someone before you even know them,what they have been through, or how much they need a loving savior! Who are we to deny people the love of Jesus Christ?? It is a great song!
While you were sleeping is another great song and I love its lyrics so much!! I don't want to be sleeping when he comes again!
Praise in this storm is emotional for me because I know what its like to say Amen and its still keep raining but I love how the song says I will lift my hand and praise the god who gives and takes away.AMEN!
A great album with great songs full of so much truth! More could you want???
Life song rocks| Posted January 18, 2008
The songs on this cd are so awsum and hit me everytime I hear them. I love the songs I'll Praise You in This Storm, Stained Glass Maquerade, Life song, Set Me Free, and Love Them Like Jesus. I'll praise you in this storm and will lift my hands For you are who you are no matter where I am and every tear i've cried you hold in your hand you never left my side though my heart is torn I'll priase you in this storm.
Great| Posted September 10, 2007
After listening to the deep lyrics and moving melodies, I have to say this was very well done. The songs have so much meaning to them, it was...with lack of a better term, amazing! If you need some encouraging in your day, this is the CD to listen too. For my 4star rating, it was because that i think lead guitar was lacking! The guitarist is awesome in one little part, and I'm sure that he can do much much more!
That's it, i'll quit babbling now!
GREAT CD
A MUST BUY!
Casting Crowns ROCKS!| Posted September 10, 2007
Every song on this CD is awesome! I can get into each one. I can't wait to get my copy of "The Altar and the Door". It'll be just as good or better than the others. I also love that they are a local band with strong ties to their church.
Simply Powerful| Posted August 22, 2007
Well, you will receive far less of my ramblings on this album than I gave on the last; I got my spiel out, so need to repeat.
Let me start by saying this: 'Lifesong' is, of all things, powerful. Yes, you can argue that the music is little less than inventive, or that some of the themes are so often heard, your three year old could make one. But you can't deny that Mark Hall has a way of giving you goose pumps with his powerful voice. The first song, and probably my favorite is 'Lifesong,' and to me, when Mark Hall earnestly sings out the second line of the chorus, I'm blown away. He's crying passionately to God, and it gives you chills to hear the honesty. Despite the overused 'hallelujah' bridge, and the explicit U2 intro, that song gets me right here : ).
'Praise You in the Storm' is, if you haven't noticed by now, the most popular Christian radio song of the decade. It's a great song, and I love the end, where the piano and guitar sound so cool in the finale. 'Does Anybody Hear Her' displays some of Mark Hall's past goal; challenging the Church. The lyrics are exceptional: 'Judgment looms under every steeple/with lofty glances from lofty people/ can't see past her scarlet letter/ and they've never even met her.' 'Stained Glass Masquerade' is another Church-challenging song that has Nichole Nordemen in it (strange, since Casting Crowns apparently isn't lacking in good female singers). On this album, in contrast to the last, the girl singers appear far less, and when they do, its only as a background singer (save the song 'In Me' which is a little disappointing, since they add variety to the mix.
The heart tugging, tear jerking 'Love Them Like Jesus' is a favorite of mine on the album (yes, I admit it). Despite the fact that it's a 'Mom song' its still very powerful with a powerful message. But, far better is the following track. Casting Crowns proves what it can do with music with their dark rocker 'Set Me Free.' The hopelessness etched in Mark Hall's lyrics and vocals are surprising, considering the past quieter songs, and when he gets to the powerful chorus line ('Set Me Free!'), you get hyped up. A great narration of a demon possessed man in captivity who is freed by Jesus. 'And as the God-man passes by/ He looks straight through my eyes/ the darkness can not hide...Do you want to be free?' Just great. And, my third favorite, after 'Lifesong' and 'Set Me Free' is the unique 'While You Were Sleeping.' In it, Hall sings about how Bethlehem and Jerusalem were caught sleeping when the Savior did great things (was born/died and rose to life). Sounds nice and jolly, but when the next line comes in, I got chills:
'United States of America, looks like another silent night...' The way he sings it, so honestly, is almost disturbing. He then goes on to say 'as we're sung to sleep by philosophies/ that saves the trees and kill the children/ and as we're lying in the dark/there's a shout heard cross the eastern sky...'). Excellent lyrics.
As fellow reviewers have said, the second half of Casting Crowns albums leave something to be desired. Formulaic and 'only nice' songs fill the void between 'While You Were Sleeping' and the great closer 'And Now My Lifesong Sings.' While Casting Crowns doesn't make spectacular improvement from their last album, I can say for sure that despite their criticism for being unimaginative and repeat all their songs, I will definitely buy their next album. Actually, my family has already pre-ordered it : )
to add lyrics if not listed.
