Casting Crowns - The Altar and the Door
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Artist: Casting CrownsBrand: STL Distributors
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
Published: 2007-08-28
CD Release Date: 2007-08-28
Music Label: Reunion
Soundtracks:
- What This World Needs
- Every Man
- Slow Fade
- East To West
- The Word Is Alive
- The Altar And The Door
- Somewhere In The Middle
- I Know You're There
- Prayer For A Friend
- All Because Of Jesus
Free Music Notes for The Altar and the Door
Free Music Review: Heavy on Message, Still Wonderful Musically
Hit: 5 Stars
Listening to this album is a significantly different experience than listening to the previous two albums from Casting Crowns. In the first album, it felt like we were being taught about who God is, and who we are in the church. The second album was virtually transcendent, as if the songs were raising us up and away from our normal lives with every song. In this album, to me it feels like the band is among us rather than elevated teachers, and they are going through the cycles of discipleship with us. It is a different experience for sure, as we see flaws healed through the word, and our own spirits gently nudged toward being better.
Message-wise, this album is just as fantastic as ever. Reading the biblical verses attached to the lyric sheets is a great opportunity for spiritual growth, and can help grasp hold of the lessons that the songs are teaching. If anything, this album is a guide to discipleship. It teaches very well how to be a living example of the power of faith. The messages in this album are significantly more coherent than in the first two albums. Many of the songs focus on letting yourself live by faith, and being careful not to let the teachings of the altar leave you by the time you reach the door.
Musically, this album is caught somewhere in the middle of Casting Crowns and Lifesong. In the first album, lightning struck 6 times, and then the back half of the album was essentially dead. In Lifesong, lightning struck 11 straight times. And even though the best tracks were not quite at the same level as on the first album, I have never heard a stronger second half of an album from any group of any genre. Every single song was inspired, taught a meaningful lesson, pulled your mind into a higher level of reality, and had music that stuck with you. Here, what we have is something halfway in-between. The title tracks are excellent, yet not quite as good as their previous smash hits in my opinion, and the back half of the album is still very good, but not quite as good as Lifesong's. Yet they are still meaningful and fun to listen to, unlike the bleakness of the original's balk half. So, here are my thoughts on each song, to further express my points:
EDITS: now that I've had this album for a while, and had time to really live with the music, the ratings and words are updated. A few of the songs have grown on me, and others haven't.
1. What this World Needs - 8.5/10
The message of this song is very good: to keep from strapping our own views on to the Gospels. It expresses the biggest problem with the church nowadays. People are so intimidated by the preaching of false teachers that they reject the church altogether. The melody is fairly good, but this song is all about the message, and it's a good one. The words really stick in your mind, and remind you that discipleship isn't about you, it's about Jesus.
2. Every Man - 10/10
"Every Man" gets the award for best melody on this CD. After the first listening, this was the first song that I went back to. It begins simple, with a cry from the world, then gets more intense as it proclaims "Is there hope for every man?" and finally ends with a touching, almost a-capella moment stating that there is hope... in Jesus. The message isn't the focus here, but the musical parts are fantastic. It's tied for my favorite track with "Slow Fade" and "East to West".
3. Slow Fade - 10/10
This song's words are sensational; reminding us that we do not crumble in a day... it is by a series of gradual compromises that we fade from living with God's purpose for us into the grey territory of worldly distraction. It is a message to constantly be vigilant, examining, staying alert to where we are and where we need to be. The melody isn't as good as the previous song, but by the sheer power of the lyrics, it really grows on you fast. Fantastic stuff here.
4. East to West - 10+/10
This song is the pinnacle of the album. The message is quite interesting. Although you have been born again, and are without sin in the eyes of God, guilt can overtake you and make you feel unworthy and on the brink of losing salvation. The great message to take refuge in the arms of mercy drives it to be a great song. The sound is a lot like "Stained Glass Masquerade" and "Does Anybody Hear Her", evoking a subtlety toward the shameful side, feeling as if other Christians are so far above you, and you feel as though you will fall. This song is fantastic at capturing a feeling and then giving an answer as to how to overcome that feeling. The melody combines with the words in a way that only Casting Crowns can do it that makes you feel engulfed by God's mercy. It is amazing.
5. The Word is Alive - 8/10
Another message to the discipleship community, this song reminds us that the Word of God is forever, though the world and its glories will fade. The attached verses remind us that the Word is a gift, and that it reveals the truths and eternities of the world to us. Good message, and I especially liked the great verses on the pamphlet to meditate on. The melody is okay, but it lacks the punch of the first 4 songs.
6. The Altar and the Door - 8/10
This song is somewhat confusing to classify. I like the melody a lot. It is different than what we expect from Crowns, with a really bouncy sound to it, contributed by the rhythmic guitar background. The words are kind of confusing, though. It seems like an elaboration on the feeling of unworthiness and desperation for remaining Godly. Especially in the middle, it plays almost like a prayer of desperation. The feeling is common, and anyone who's tried to sacrifice their will to God can probably attest. The lyrics don't have the impact of Slow Fade, which shares a similar message, but it's still a fun song.
7. Somewhere in the Middle - 8.5/10
This is third song on the album encouraging us to spiritually renew ourselves so that we don't slip into the grey middle ground between God's light and the world. Much like the previous song, it plays like a prayer and a meditation. This one does have a lesson, though: trade your dreams for God's. You may not be strong enough, but He is. I'm also a big fan of the melody of this song. It's not as bouncy as the last one, but the stretch of "Fearless warriors in a picket fence...." will stick in your head. Good stuff. Great to just sit and enjoy listening to.
8. I Know You're There - 9/10
This is one of Casting Crowns' best songs of worship. It really captures the heart of worship, and the act of being a living sacrifice to the will of God. It's not exceptional, but the lyrics recapture the power of the back half of Lifesong, which is great for a song that is not one of the songs intended to be a hit single. It makes you want to raise your hands and proclaim that God is with us. Great song!
9. Prayer for a Friend - 7.5/10
This song was intended for discipleship, much in the way that "Here I Go Again" was on the first album. As a whole, though, this was one of my least favorite songs on the album. I liked the use of acoustic guitar, and it was kind of touching, but it had little sticking power. You'll enjoy listening to it whenever it comes on, but it's obviously not one of CC's better songs.
10. All Because of Jesus - 7.5/10
This song is a bit basic for my tastes. Yes, it is a proclamation, yes, it is supposed to be that way, but so many other songs say the exact same thing so much better, which reduces this song's value. That, and the sound is a bit to similar to "Father, Spirit, Jesus" from Lifesong if you ask me. And that song is a lot better, which makes this song mostly forgettable. Again, though, I don't skip over it because it's still fun to listen to, but it just doesn't stand out enough to score in the 8's.
11. White Dove - 9/10 (bonus track, located at 7:20 on "All Beacuse of Jesus")
And here we have one of the most beautiful songs Casting Crowns has written. This song has zero message, as the words kind of sounds like a foreign language at points, and the words which are determinable are about a white dove flying free, and hope in general, but the melody is so soft, so haunting, so beautiful, it goes straight to the heart. This song is like nothing Casting Crowns has ever done, utilizing violin, acoustic guitars, and a soft duet. But it worked. It is a beautiful piece of music.
AVERAGE SCORE: 8.7 / 10
ALBUM SCORE: 4.5/5
The Altar and the Door Poster
After two Platinum-selling albums (Casting Crowns & Lifesong), one Platinum and one Gold live project (Live from Atlanta & Lifesong Live), numerous awards, and one of the most successful headlining tours in our industry, one might expect a different Casting Crowns. Those who meet this exceptional group, however, quickly realize they are still the same down-to-earth people with ministry at the heart of what they do both on the road, and in their local churches where each of the members serve on-staff or as laypeople, including lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall who still holds his post as youth pastor at his home church.Casting Crowns third album, The Altar and The Door, draws on this first-hand ministry experience with real people, real life struggle and the faith that overcomes. At the altar, everything makes sense, says Hall. When we re in the church and spending time with God, we know what we re supposed to do and how to live. Everything is black and white. But somewhere between the altar and the door, when we leave and go out into our lives, it all leaks out. Everything gets gray again. It s like we have these two lives, and the Christian life is the journey between the altar and door....trying to get the things you ve got in your head, into your hands, into your feet, and into your life. This album is all about that journey of realization, the struggles we encounter and the victory of seeing it as possible.
The band is excited about the next ministry chapter to unfold, and is already planning Fall and Spring legs of The Altar and The Door Tour. With the debut radio single hitting in June and widespread media coverage starting late summer through the fall, this album is set to be another phenomenal release setting records and, more importantly, impacting hearts.
When you've become one of contemporary Christian music's biggest stars, there are a lot of temptations to change your sound or tone the message down a little to reach a larger audience. But the anthemic, guitar-based Casting Crowns simply use their music as a pulpit ever more. Despite (or, perhaps, because of) all the world tours, platinum records, and Dove and Grammy awards, the members of the band still serve as ministers at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, GA. This is honest and often gorgeous music that deals with doubt and pain, and how difficult it can be to live up to one's principles. "Slow Fade," an irresistibly slow-burning number, counsels listeners not to stray: ""People never crumble in a day, it's a slow fade." The album's two covers--a rousing take of Steve Fee's "All Because of Jesus" and a spirited version of Chandler's "I Know You're There"--count among the album's many highlights. --Mike McGonigal
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