Casting Crowns - "The Altar and the Door" | Teen Ink

Casting Crowns - "The Altar and the Door" MAG

By Anonymous

For a number of music lovers, Casting Crowns is the first (if not the greatest) contemporary Christian band that comes to mind. Their new album, “The Altar and the Door,” makes sacrifices in terms of sound and song structure, but proves how the band’s lyrical talent has evolved over the years.

The album opens with the explosive “What This World Needs.” Sporting a hard rock guitar riff and heavy drums and bass, this song may very well be their most upbeat. Unfortunately, it is probably the only song on the album that will make you bob your head from beginning to end.

That’s not to say that the rest of the album is forgettable. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear “Somewhere in the Middle” and “The World Is Alive” on pop stations in the near future. The piano and viola in these songs are beautiful and Mark Hall’s voice reaches out inspiringly at every chorus. Other songs, like “Every Man,” don’t have as much of a conventional praise feeling, but fans will appreciate Casting Crown’s newfound mellow vibe.

Listening to the songs without comprehending the lyrics would be like not listening to them at all. Every song tells a story that portrays a biblical theme. “East to West” questions the distance between right and wrong, and “Prayer for a Friend” tells of a person’s misguided companion who needs God’s assistance (Lord, I lift my friend to You/I’ve done all that I know to do).

Overall, the minor flaws are outweighed by the valuable Christian messages. Newcomers may feel a bit hungry for the band’s older material, but the group has certainly made a step forward in many important areas.


Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 2 comments.


on Mar. 19 2013 at 4:20 pm
TargonTheDragon GOLD, Ofallon, Missouri
15 articles 16 photos 292 comments

Favorite Quote:
First dentistry was painless.<br /> Then bicycles were chainless,<br /> Carriages were horseless,<br /> And many laws enforceless.<br /> <br /> Next cookery was fireless,<br /> Telegraphy was wireless,<br /> Cigars were nicotineless,<br /> And coffee caffeineless.<br /> <br /> Soon oranges were seedless,<br /> The putting green was weedless,<br /> The college boy was hatless,<br /> The proper diet fatless.<br /> <br /> New motor roads are dustless,<br /> The latest steel is rustless,<br /> Our tennis courts are sodless,<br /> Our new religion &mdash; godless.

nahh "east to west" is giving an analogie of what becomes of our sin once we confess it and ask for forgiveness. the bible says he has cast our sin as far as the "east is from the west". but because that is an imaginary number, it cannot be fathomed, its forever. it just gives some idea to the infinity that seperates us from our sin.

on Feb. 19 2010 at 9:58 am
ReflectionsofYou GOLD, Mason, Tennessee
10 articles 0 photos 107 comments
I'm so glad they published this! I love casting crowns. It's so cool to see this review. But I REALLY have to disagree with the first paragraph. I'll be honest, I don't know alot about "song structure", but I know that this particular ablum isn't alot different than what other Christian labels are putting out, is sense of quality. Every band changes just a tiny bit on every new project, but I think it's going to take ALOT for them to lose their fans loyalty.
Your opinion on this cd is alot like mine on their newest one "Until the whole world hears" . But The Altar and the Door is def. my favorite.