Casting Crowns – The Altar And The Door

Casting Crowns have been going since 1999, but from what I’ve read on the internet, their first, self-titled album “Casting Crowns" came out in 2003 followed by "Lifesong" in 2005 and now "The Alter And The Door". The first time I had the honour of hearing Casting Crowns was when my friend Rhys Gronow forced me to listen to them. I will admit that I enjoyed parts of the album "Lifesong", but wouldn’t say I loved it. Could this new album "The Altar And The Door" change my view?

The album starts with a driving drum and a very much U2 style lead guitar. The track "What This World Needs" talks of what this world doesn't need, but puts the answer in the chorus. (The answer being Jesus, in case you were wondering). With such honest lyrics this first opening track has everything for a great start to the album. (Including a fantastic guitar solo in the middle!) This then leads onto one of the most interestingly musical & creative tracks of the album "Every Man". With it's distorted piano to lead the track off, sounding like something that would fit in on the latest Oasis album, this track surprised me. The next three tracks are of a soft more original ‘Casting Crowns’ style and feel. "Slow Fare", "East to West" and "The World Is Alive" are all great tracks, but not that different and could have easily been on there last album "Lifesong"

The album jumps back into rock life during the title track "The Altar And The Door" with its driven guitar and a mix of female and male vocals. It’s a beautiful track but when it got to the chorus I was expecting and wanting it to burst into life. Sadly though, it doesn’t take that step up from being a great start of a song to an even better, full rock song. So, in my opinion, much more could have been done with this track and it's chorus.

Another song that I really want to bring to your attention is "Prayer for a Friend". It’s a personal prayer song to God about a friend with worldly issues. Such an honest, lyrical song which I’m sure we can all relate to, and pray for someone we know who has been sucked into the word and, as the lyrics point out, become "a puppet of the world".

Over all this album has taken a step up in it's musical creativity since the last one. Every track is refreshingly different and only a few songs could have fitted in on “Lifesong”, which to me is a good thing, as it helps the band not get stuck into a rut of the same style.Saying all that, it's not like they have totally gone away from what they do best. Vocally both singers are at there best, perfectly picking which songs/parts fit with each other. A top quality album that really surprised me, perfect for every age group.

review by Jono Davies

Jono’s rating – 4 out of 5
Stand out tracks
Every Man,
Prayer For A Friend,
What The World Needs