Packed With More Heart
Posted June 12, 2007
By KevinMcNeese_NRT, Staff Reviewer
If there ever was question before, Casting Crowns certainly solidified their spot as one of the top Christian bands in recent years. And we're just one week into the release of their sophomore album.
With over 71,000 units scanned in the first week, their new album, Lifesong, debuted at No. 9 on Billboard's Top 200 album chart, surpassing sales of new CDs from Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton. In the digital world, they broke records for Christian album downloads and the first single landed at No. 12 on the mainstream Digital Album chart. For those of you keeping track at home, it's the highest first-week sales for a Christian act since Nov. 2003.
So how does a band less than two years old accomplish such a feat? By doing what so many artists are not these days: creating great music. Lifesong is packed with more of the same heart that drove their debut album past one million units sold and shipped three number one songs to radio.
"The songs on this new album try to look at what a life of worship looks like," says Mark Hall of Casting Crowns. "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."
Not unlike their debut, Mark slams some hard hitting balls straight at the church with challenges of continuing to reach out, standing strong in faith and staying true to the call on songs like "Stained Glass Masquerade" and "Does Anybody Hear Her." "I don't think it bothers the world that we sin," Mark continues. "I think it bothers the world that we act like we don't."
Stand out tracks on the new album include "Love Them Like Jesus" and what is sure to be their next #1 radio smash, "Praise You In This Storm," a song that still sends chills down my spine after multiple spins. "As your mercy falls I raise my hands, and praise the God who gives and takes away." That's a line that can drive a grown man on his knees, especially with the events Americans are facing with the hurricane tragedy. "Set Me Free" is a welcome harder edge to this band that lives comfortably in the contemporary genre.
On an almost perfect album, the only unfortunate misfire on the album is quickly forgivable. "In Me" moves right along until a child starts singing the chorus. "Shhhh, the grownups are singing. Interrupting is rude." But trying to find fault in the other tracks will prove fruitless.
Casting Crowns has released one of the best albums of the year that is both musically and lyrically solid in every way, shape and form. View All Music And Book Reviews By KevinMcNeese_NRT | View KevinMcNeese_NRT's Profile
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