Casting Crowns--A Great Live Worship Experience?

If you are looking to get close to God, this is a live worship experience that you could pursue. The music has some of the elements of Jesus and his word and even a spoken word excerpt entitled “Thoughts on Jesus, Friend of Sinners” and what the song really means. Some of the highlights include “Good Good Father,” originally performed by Chris Tomlin, “Here’s My Heart, Lord, “Just Be Held,”  “No Not One,” and “Great Are You Lord.” These songs seem to round out what’s best on the album. One thing that is oddly familiar and somewhat scary about albums like these is that there is very little difference in each song’s instrumentation. For example, you don’t have one rock song, followed by a more quaint piano and synthesizer song sans guitars, then have an organ driven song with a whole choir backing. That would be a fabulous album and a rare gem to grace the public with. However, that is not the case. You have to sell records and sell out to the world, which is what these people are doing—not just Casting Crowns but many other artists as well in the Contemporary Christian community.

If you’re into music that really gets your heart racing, your blood pumping, and your hands clapping, this is a great album for that. There’s just not enough variety of stylistic settings being used, which would give the ear more of something to look forward to. Otherwise, let this be a record for those who want the commerciality of Christ. If it’s what gets you saved by Jesus, then let it be that.