Lifesong
"Lifesong", released in 2005, is Casting Crowns latest CD. Although a little less excitable then their debut album, it contains another pleasing collection of insightful Christian music songs that can be blunt in their effort to challenge the church effectively. Many of the songs can be rather unoriginal in both music and lyrics, and although this may be expected in a second album; it is still a little disappointing. Casting Crowns very often takes on a sober tone to deal with difficult issues close to their heart, and this works effectively with the sombre lyrics.
Lifesong - Album Review
The CD begins rather weakly with the song “Lifesong” which talks about how no sacrifice could be large enough for God. Casting Crowns is saying how life is the only sacrifice worth giving, and it must be given wholeheartedly and not in vain. This is a “typical” Christian music song, and so can seem rather unoriginal in style, and to get the full benefit the lyrics need to be listened to carefully. Although it starts rather slowly it becomes much more upbeat in the chorus and then stays this way throughout. “Lifesong” ends with a long instrumental which may be put there for reflection, or may be Casting Crowns were unsure of how to end this uninspiring track effectively.
Inspirational lyrics define “Praise you in the storm”, another typical Christian music song by Casting Crowns. They are saying how God is always there, even when he seems far away and that prayers are not always answered as God knows best. The rather dull music makes way to a much more interesting chorus which is rhythmic and exciting. The powerful lyrics are sung with emotion, and this is definitely the best thing about this track. Casting Crowns always seem to spend much more time on the wording of the songs, and so their music is very often bland. Again, they choose to end this song with a long instrumental which is disappointing as it becomes dull.
“Does anybody hear her” is an influential Christian music song about how churches can be too judgemental, and that no one can know exactly what is going on inside a person. This song is sung very clearly, and although it is similar to “If we are the body” in content and meaning, it is still an important message that is being ministered through Casting Crowns. The average music flows well with the prominent lyrics as Casting Crowns implores us to not judge. The ending is much better then in the previous two songs, as it sings the first two lines again and changes the gender from “she” to “he” – implying that this song applies to all.
Casting Crowns sings “Stained glass masquerade” as if they really enjoyed it, and this is apparent through the upbeat lyrics and music. The clear lyrics tell us that people tend to hide behind a veneer and do not express their true emotions. This may be because they are unsure of what the reactions from other people may be and so a false image is given. This song is split into male and female solos, which sounds very effective, and it ends simply and successfully.
“Love them like Jesus” can be a very emotional song and Casting Crowns has successfully reflected this in the sombre sounding lyrics and Christian music. It can be very hard to comfort someone who is in such pain, and so Casting Crowns is imploring us to show them Jesus’ love instead. This song ends quietly which finishes it off nicely and effectively. This is a very enjoyable well-made Christian music song.
Casting Crowns talks of the darkness before coming to Jesus in the song “Set me free”. This Christian music song describes how it gets darker and darker until you literally have to cry out to be freed. This is done extremely effectively through the initial gentle and sober verses and then the expressive explosive chorus which cries out to be “set free”. The ending is done well with the repetition of the words “you are free”. This is an excellent song which almost shows Casting Crowns at their best.
The words of “O little town of Bethlehem” begins the song “While you were sleeping”. This Christian music song talks about three places which missed seeing or maybe will miss seeing Jesus – Bethlehem, Jerusalem and USA. There is no chorus in this song, and this makes it seem rather dull as each verse sung is like the last. The problem, is that the meaning of this song is in the last two verses, and so it is a pity that the music is uninspiring as people may switch off before the point is put across to them. The lyrics in this song are worth listening to (especially the last two verses) and begs us to be ready for Jesus’ return, before it is too late. This Christian music song finishes with the words “United States of America, looks like another silent night” which tells us that we do not know when Jesus will return, and it could be when we least expect it.
Casting Crowns live a life of worship and sacrifice, and this is apparent through the song “Father, Jesus, Spirit”. Despite this being another typical Christian music song with unoriginal content, the lyrics are very uplifting and the beat is much more excitable than the previous song, and this is very refreshing. This is a rather short song, but it is sung a few times to compensate this and it is very pleasant to have an upbeat song of praise slapped down between the sombre songs of meaningful messages. This is the sort of Christian music song you might expect to see sung in church but the male and female solos bring an extra touch to it. It is obvious that Casting Crowns enjoyed performing this song and so have produced an excellent praise song.
“In me” is another song of praise but is much less exciting than the previous one. Casting Crowns are simply saying that God will make you strong, and whatever he asks you to do, he will always be with you. The male and female solos in this song stops it from becoming boring, and the short solo sung by a child gives it a very different touch without the danger of becoming gimmicky. Apart from this it seems musically dull and lyrically uninspiring.
In “Prodigal” Casting Crowns talks about the darkness that surrounds when you fall away from God, and how everything goes wrong when you leave him. Casting Crowns talk about how we often need pulling up again after we so easily fall. Apart from the last verse which has an original and great sounding drum beat in the background, the music is only average. As the song is so long it can become a bit dull, though the lyrics are definitely worth listening to.
“And now my lifesong sings” is a cleverly entitled song to finish off the album. This is a Christian music song of quiet praise, and many of the lyrics are taken from “Amazing Grace”. It starts slow and continues this way throughout. Unfortunately this is a rather quiet, dull finish to the album.
