Simply Powerful Praise

I've been a fan of Casting Crowns since their first self titled album released 10 years ago.  Many of the songs of that first CD still feature in my current worship playlist on my MP3 player - in fact they've never left.  The thing that I love most about a Casting Crowns song isn't the great melody, it's not the fantastic voices of Mark and Melodee, it's the lyrics - lyrics that have an impact that goes deeper than most other contemporary worship songs could ever dream of.

4 tracks are from the original debut CD, 'Who Am I' (which has recently received Gold Certification), 'The American Dream' - which was never a favourite of mine before but has really surprised me as being one of my favourites once it's taken back to the bare bones. 'Here I Go Again' and 'If We Are The Body' both sound great too.

'Set Me Free' and 'Praise You In This Storm' are the songs from Lifesong given the acoustic treatment. This version of 'Praise You In This Storm' is one that I think many churches could translate into a Sunday morning worship set, I'd love to hear congregations around the UK singing this.

The Altar and the Door offers both 'East to West' and 'Somewhere In The Middle' - although not my favourites these tracks both have a very different feel from the originals and allow you to listen with fresh ears.  

The 2 new songs; 'Delivered' and 'Only You' won't disappoint as they both have fantastic heart felt lyrics with tunes that get stuck in your head (in a good way!)

This is a wonderful CD that no Casting Crowns or acoustic worship fan should be without - but even if you've never heard of this bestselling US worship group or usually prefer you're worship big and brimming over with tempo and electronic energy this album is not to be missed.  It's the perfect canvas for lyrics that will speak softly with power and emotion.

February 19th, 2013 - Posted & Written by Jo Pountney

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