Disco de Casting Crowns: “Casting Crowns”

Out of the hundred-fifty-or-so CDs that I own, Casting Crowns climbed quickly to the top position and has stayed there for the last three months...there are no signs of it being replaced. Musically, the tracks are all varied enough, technical enough, and catchy enough to allow you to listen to the cd straight through multiple times in a row without feeling overwhelmed. There is not a single track on the CD that I do not like.

But lyrically is where Casting Crowns shines! The lyrics are as challenging and convicting as those of one of the visionaries in Christian Music: Keith Green. And, despite the focus of the majority of the songs on our personal walk (maybe I should say "because of the God focussed application to our personal lives..."), the tracks lift my heart up in praise in a way comparable to the best praise and worship disc. I do not give away reviews like this for nothing, but Casting Crowns earns it. Overall this is an extremely biblically solid, convicting, faith-enhancing, and actually even life-changing (I have "If We are the Body," "Who Am I," "Voice of Truth," "Here I Go Again," and "American Dream" in mind when I say "life-changing").

I expected this to be a good CD, but it certainly surpassed my expectations in a huge way. So much food for hungry souls in this praiseworthy effort by Casting Crowns.

I would have bought this CD just for the opportunity to listen to the popular "If We Are The Body". With lyrics that should make us squirm in our comfortable Christian lives, Casting Crowns challenges us to step up to the plate and be the example that He expects us to be. The talent of these musicians is surpassed only by their devotion to the ministry of spreading His Word. Every track has you tapping your feet, singing in the car at the top of your voice, or swallowing a lump in your throat. This is a great CD to share with the unchurched who are searching and looking for answers in this frantic world.

I feel I must be honest here and admit that I was at first skeptical about buying this cd. But from the very first time I slipped this into my cd player and heard the first song, all skepticism washed away, and I was hooked.

Mark Hall, the lead vocalist, delivers some powerful vocals ("What If His People Prayed", "American Dream") and yet can also tone it down with more subdued vocals("Who Am I", "Your Love Is Extravagant")which give the album variety. Having a female vocalist also keeps the record jumping, however, I must agree with a previous reviewer who mentioned that the last four songs didn't have the quality of writing like the first six did. "Your Love is Extravagant" was a great way to end the album, but the three previous songs just don't really fit with the rest of the record. Having said that, although the album would have been better if the writing and songs had been more consistent and flowed better together, this is still a great first album. This is also one of the only cd's I've liked from the first listen. Usually it takes time for cd's to grow on me. All in all, I highly recommend Casting Crowns. I look forward to watching them grow as a band in the future.

I had never listened to Christian music until December 2003. It was amazing hearing all of the uplifting worship songs. There are so many good groups that I have heard, and maybe even never heard of. The group, Casting Crowns, was one of the groups I had never listened. The first song I heard from them was "If We are the Body." This song spoke the truth, and I was always excited when ever it came on the radio. I wish I would have had their CD all summer, but I got it as a surprise. My mother left me a gift everyday for the first week of college. On the last day, I opened the present with their CD in it.

Casting Crowns is a great Christian rock band that can appeal to everyone. Each song on this album talks about how God loves every person, also the struggles humans have following God. I never imaged how much I would love this CD. Every song on the CD almost seems like the song was made for me, and that is how many people would probably feel. The song, "American Dream", is almost describing every person in the world that needs God but they do not really know it.

Every song challenges Christians to be more like Christ and not to just sit around. They almost make you feel bad for not helping or sharing God's message with anyone. In the song, "If We are the Body", they are telling you that we as Christians need to reach out to others because we are not doing the work of Jesus. It shows how lazy many Christians are because they are scared or just don't know what to say. This album makes you think right away with the first song. The song says that if His people prayed the world would be a better place. Then, they go on be tell you that he still loves, you even if you have not done much and that you are not really worthy of this pure love, but He gives it to us.

Casting Crowns singers and instrumentalists are very talented and experienced. Having a female vocalist makes all their songs sound much more rich and enjoyable for all different listeners. All the other singers or instrumentalists add so much to each song because they make each song sound different to any other worship or praise song that I have heard. The lead singer for the group has a great and unique voice that makes you want to listen. He sings so strong, almost pulling you into the words and message. With every instrument, each song has a new and different sound from one to the next and makes the album much easier to go from one song to the next.

Every song has so much emotion about what they are singing. There is a song for every mood. Even songs for people who doubt their faith in God. They just want everyone to know what is true and not true in the world. You get lifted up every time you hear one of Casting Crowns songs and you begin to love the Lord even more than before. The last song leaves you knowing how much you are cared for by something more precious than you will ever know in the world.

Casting Crowns album is one not to be missed. It brings joy to anyone who listens to it. There so many types of songs for every person. They are one of the greatest worship bands that I have ever heard. Anyone who has not listened to them should, because no matter who you are, you will love at least one of the songs on the album. Casting Crowns is a growing band that will only get bigger with every new album they come out with.

This group nails it! Clear, strong, empowering TRUTH!! Each song is something you've been through, someone you know has been through...or will go through at some point in life. Their confidence in Christ is very evident and you're re-encouraged everytime you listen!