Casting Crowns
Casting Crowns debut album “Casting Crowns” was written in 2003. It consists of nine astonishingly honest songs in this album combine a mixture of sombre lyrics and deep meaning with rhythmical tunes of genuine praise and out pouring of grateful hearts, and one disappointing song which was not written by them. Casting Crowns challenge the church on many different issues through their frank sincere lyrics and pulsating beat. As many of the songs are based on verses from the bible, the content is bound to be sound.
Casting Crowns - Album Review
Listeners of Casting Crowns' debut CD are smacked in the face with the speculative "What if his people prayed?" Mark Hall questions what would actually happen if Christians prayed more often and the devastating affect this would have on Satan. He even finds time for some humour with the line "what if the family turned to Jesus, stopped asking Oprah what to do?"
This song is lyrically challenging and musically a lot of fun for any who enjoys listening to strong guitar rifts and great backing harmonies. They could not have chosen a better song to open their recording career with.
Casting Crowns now drums into us questions about the judgemental church in "If we are the body". Jesus died for all of us, and so Mark Hall is asking why the church does not accept all people. Everyone deserves to feel Gods love and the church needs to stop being so unwelcoming. This is the sort of song that will have people singing along in no time as the lyrics are so empowering and the music is so upbeat. This has become a very popular song and after listening to it, you will see why.
The very popular "If we are the body" is a compelling song by Casting Crowns. Mark Hall has written powerful lyrics that challenge the church to accept all outsiders and not be judgemental. The strong message is being drummed into us through upbeat music and a pulsating beat which make this passionate Christian music song extremely interesting to listen to.
Based on verses from Corinthians, "Voice of truth" encourages us to take risks and step away from what we know, listen to Jesus and put our fear behind us. Casting Crowns start this track a little quietly, and is harder to listen to then the previous two songs, but the wonderfully upbeat chorus and great stereo section in the second part of the song makes this a very enjoyable track. The insightful lyrics encourage us to listen to the quiet "voice of truth" above everything else. The long piece of instrumental at the end gives perfect time for reflection upon a Christian music song that certainly needs digesting.
Casting Crowns minister how empty life would be without Christ through the song "Who am I?" and assures us we will always be heard however insignificant we may be feeling. This is a Christian music song of disbelief and overwhelming joy that the "Lord of all the earth" not only knows our names but also loves us unconditionally. This is an emotional and powerful song of beautiful lyrics that requires intense listening to receive the full benefit and much needed instrumental sections are given throughout for reflection.
"American Dream" is an exceptional Christian music song with not only influential lyrics but also a powerful pulsating beat. Casting Crowns is drumming into us how important family and faith is over everything else and that money is completely worthless. The lyrics are saying how everything around us crumbles without the rock of God's existence and Casting Crowns are imploring to us to change our dream before it is too late. This is a passionate piece of Christian music that delivers an important message in an original and energetic style.
Casting Crowns has written inspirational lyrics for the song "Here I go again" which talk about the fear we have of spreading Gods word. The content of this song strikes a chord in us as we all understand the feeling of fear we have when speaking about the truth.
After the sober challenging words of the previous songs, the Psalm based Christian music song "Praise you with the dance" truly gives all the glory to God. Casting Crowns pours out their heartfelt adoration in this refreshingly simple song and as it is sung by one of the female leads of the band it gives a pleasing change of pace. The violin solo of "Lord of the dance" gives this upbeat track an extra something. Altogether this is an exceptionally bright and cheerful song.
"Glory" is a typical Christian music song, which is rather unoriginal in both music and content. However, it is refreshing to have such a song after the initial sober lyrics that are at the beginning of this CD. This song is based on Revelations 5:11-14 and it is great to have a song in the Christian music industry that is so biblically correct, and sound in content.
Casting Crowns excels in the energetic "Life of Praise". The chorus in this song is more original than in the previous two and has an upbeat tune with a catchy beat and some of the many wonderful names of God are included in the glorifying lyrics. This is an amazing praise song from which a life of praise and worship is promised.
"Life of Praise", the only song on this album that is not written by a member of Casting Crowns, is undoubtedly the weakest, and it is a shame to finish off such an influential album with it.
