Reviews, Interviews, News, Commentaries, Glimpses of God, Best-Of ListsCasting Crowns: Until the Whole World Hears
Style: Pure American rock; compare to Creed, Nickelback
Top tracks: "Joyful, Joyful," "At Your Feet," "Mercy"
Casting Crowns burst out of the gate six years ago and soared to pretty impressive heights in the worlds of both Christian Contemporary Music and mainstream pop. They've had four albums go platinum, including two that managed to crack the Billboard Top 10, and picked up legions of fans around the globe.
But what they've lost along the way is the biting social commentary and challenging lyrics that made their albums so engaging and refreshing. Slowly, the band has eased back on lamentations like "If We Are the Body" (from their 2003 self-titled debut) that addressed alienation within the church, or "Somewhere In The Middle," which affectingly parsed out band leader Mark Hall's personal trials.
What we are left with here is a surprisingly typical CCM disc that mixes in rafter-raising worship songs with covers of well-known tunes that has been reconfigured to match up with Casting Crowns' brusque musical stylings. Because if there's one thing that will likely never change with this band is the somewhat heavy hand with which they handle their songwriting.
The title track and "Holy One" are meat-and-potatoes bruisers overrun with blasting guitar chords and topped off with Hall's throaty growl. Most others start off with chords plunked out on a piano or strummed slowly on a guitar, letting the song build slowly toward a massive wave of sound. Moments like that thrill in small doses but as evidenced throughout this album, their overuse becomes overkill.
As frustrating as it is to hear the band return to the same formula again and again, it is equally hard not to get caught up in the album's best moments, like the swelling reimaging of the classically-inspired favorite, "Joyful, Joyful," putting aside the sing-song-y tone of its most popular versions, opting for a pulsing, string-driven attack that calls to mind Coldplay's "Viva La Vida." It's also always welcome to hear the voice of Megan Garrett, who is given a few star turns on this album—in particular, the affecting anthem "Mercy," which she embraces with aplomb and a surprisingly subtle tone.
Decrying a band for taking a turn into full-on worship territory feels rather petty, but because they've proven themselves capable of so much more, this album feels like a step backward creatively.
Copyright © 2009 Christian Music Today. Click for reprint information.
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Mark Hall is My Hero
I agree with the points raised in the review; there seems to be a mix between their new, harder rock style, the old style, and a worship-y sound. The band seems to have gotten concerned with how well they were going to do, and in self-consciousness came some slight awkwardness. But the thing is, it's still awesome. Mark Hall has a great voice that invigorates the songs no matter what, the harmonies work well, and the instrumentals really add to the experience.
Frank
I can heartily agree with Robert. This is Casting Crowns weakest offering yet. I get the feeling they could not decide what kind of CD they wanted to release. Three of the songs (including the title song) are very edgy with an alternative/retro 60's sound, while the rest of the CD drops back to an almost meditative soft tempo. One song pumps you to celebrate and the next three drop into a lullaby drone. CDs do have a natural ebb and flow of tempo but these changes are to abrupt and extreme. "Joyful, Joyful" was the high point. A very catchy, energetic rendering of a classic. But the rest of the CD was just more of the same...and all quite forgetable.
Wade
Thank you Robert for telling the truth about Casting Crowns! They have the ability to be a decent group, but time after time put out generic rock. At least the first few albums had some strong singles. Now, though, there is no creativity.
Troy
I see Robert's point but I agree with Scott, it's hard to stop listening. My wife and I were discussing the other day how Mark Hall's voice has such a magnetic quality to it, and it draws you to their music. I've never been disappointed by one of their albums, but I wouldn't consider this one my favorite.
Scott
I have to disagree with Robert, I can't stop listening to Casting Crowns new album. It's awesome and every song has a great message and the words pierce through to the soul. If the world ever needed to hear this message its now, in these last days - lets not stop Until the Whole World Hears! Great job Casting Crowns, way to encourage God's people at a time when our world needs Jesus. There's nothing wrong with worship music that rocks! Almost every song could be sung in church's, I see nothing wrong with songs that we can worship to. Anointed, heart stopping lyrics! Love you Casting Crowns!