Customer Reviews

In the Company of Angels

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With all the worship-oriented albums that have been hitting the shelves lately, it didn't take long for Caedmon's Call to cash in on the trend with their own worship album, In The Company of Angels. But what sets this album apart from other worship albums? Well, rather than recording a bunch of worship songs we've all heard a million times already (e.g. "Lord I Lift Your Name on High", "The Heart of Worship", etc....not that these are bad songs, mind you; they're just way overdone), Caedmon's Call brings us a collection of mostly original material, such as the bouncy single "Who You Are" and the uplifting "We Delight". There are also a few old hymns with updated music, such as "Thy Mercy" and the stirring "Laden With Guilt". Adding to the worshipful ambience is the inclusion of two live tracks, including the recent worship hit "God of Wonders" (this time without Third Day's Mac Powell). So what sets this album apart from other Caedmon's albums? Well, the fact that this is a worship album is obvious; these are songs directed straight to God, whereas Caedmon's is usually best known for lyrics on a more personal level. You won't find any of the Aaron Tate- or Derek Webb-penned songs which made up the bulk of their previous albums, but the lyrics are just as poetic and thought provoking as ever. (There is even a song called "Oh Lord Your Love" which is partially written by the late, great Rich Mullins.) Musically, Caedmon's has really gone back to their folk roots, backing away from the more produced sound of their last album, Long Line of Leavers. One of the most stunning songs on this album is the closing track, "The Danse", which features Caedmon's signature vocal harmonies as well as a Celtic-flavored folk sound. Altogether, In The Company Of Angels is truly a unique worship experience, and no fan of Caedmon's Call or praise-and-worship music should be without this CD.

First of all, this is just an awesome worship album! There is a live version of "God of Wonders" (first track from "City on a Hill" - see my review of that album) which was recorded at Texas A&M.

Lots of the songs on this album have a "simple" feel to them. The words convey the glory of the Lord, without so much instrumentation that the lyrics are hard to find. A couple of songs (Laden with Guilt and I Boast No More)have lyrics written by Isaac Watts. Isaac Watts wrote such long-standing hits as "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" and "O God Our Help in Ages Past" back in the early 1700's.

Be sure to listen carefully to "Oh Lord Your Love". Caedmon's Call was one of the few CCM groups who received some of the unpublished work of the late Rich Mullins [....] So it's wonderful to hear a new Rich Mullins song, and Caedmon's Call did a great job with it!

Here is the chorus of "Oh Lord Your Love":

Oh Lord your love
Is new with every morning
Your faithfulness
It gets me through the night
You bid us come
You know that I am weary
Your yoke is easy
Your burden light.

[....]

Lyrically, this is perhaps Caedmon's Call's best CD. Despite the fact that neither regular songwriters Aaron Tate nor Derek Webb contributed songs, the contributions by Aaron Senseman, Kemper Crabb, and Sandra McCracken rank with the best songs of this band's earlier albums. In some cases, Cliff Young lent a helping hand. Joshua Moore, the keyboardist, contributed two songs, the best of which is "We Delight", in my opinion, with its simple, direct chorus. The lyrics of Isaac Watts were tapped for two songs, music written by Sandra McCracken.

Musically, the songs are well-informed by rock and pop influences, with flavorings from other styles, including world and Irish music. Stylistically, the music is a mature synthesis of that heard in "Long Line of Leavers" and "40 Acres". Some songs are fully arranged, such as "We Delight", "Who You Are" (the music here is perhaps too lush), and "God of Wonders" (a beautiful live recording). Others tend to be very simple, primarily acoustic guitar, maybe accordion, and some percussion, e.g. "Thy Mercy", "God Who Saves", "The Danse" and "I Boast No More". Generally, the music is understated, so that the listener is drawn into the lyrics and encouraged to worship.

Many of the songs are topical, dealing with a particular attribute of God or response of man. "We Delight" is concerned with simple joys of knowing God. "Before There Was Time" is a wonderful meditation on God's omniscience. "Thy Mercy" is a strongly written hymn to God's mercy and robustly sung by Derek Webb. "God Who Saves" is an Irish-inflected ballad on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. "Who You Are" concerns salvation as seen through the eyes of a child, regardless of age. This is a nice song, but its production is too overblown for my tastes. "Carry Your Love" would serve well in church services as a reminder of what worship is really about. It's a wonderful song. "God of Wonders", though perhaps not the most profound song lyrically, is, in its simplicity, a remarkable declaration of awe and praise for the Creator of all things. This live recording gives me chills everytime I hear it. "I Boast No More" is lyrically quite good (lyrics by Isaac Watts, so no surprise there), but the apparently added chorus, allowing for much emoting, is very weak in comparison. "Oh Lord Your Love" is an exhuberant pop song by Rich Mullins on God's loving condescension. "Warrior" is a simple song on God as the One Who fights for us. "Laden with Guilt" is a personal account by Isaac Watts on the power of God's Word, as set to a wonderful tune. "The Danse" is a very poetic meditation on our purpose in the scheme of things.

Given that Caedmon's Call hopes that some of these songs will enter the repertoire of churches, I think their purpose will be served somewhere. Some songs are too contemporary for many churches, but some, contemporary or not, certainly deserve consideration in public worship, even in musically conservative churches with just a piano. Of the twelve songs, "We Delight", "Before There Was Time", "Thy Mercy", "Carry Your Love", and "Laden with Guilt" carry the greatest weight lyrically and echo many scriptural truths. "Laden with Guilt", with its powerful lyrics and well-matched tune, might be the best starting point for musically conservative churches. "God of Wonders" and "God Who Saves" would also lend themselves well to public worship. All twelve songs should be prayerfully considered.

Overall, this is a wonderful release. Anyone seeking songs to direct their minds and hearts to God will be encouraged by both the lyrics and the music. Those worshipping in private will benefit immensely. Churches would do well to consider adding one of these songs to their repertoire.

Caedmon's Call has done a wonderful job with this cd. The songs here are all original except the live version of "God of Wonders" (which sounds great). Unlike other worship cd's released this year by other artists, this one is not a rehash of over-done material, but new songs that will find their way into churches everywhere. Plus, as an added bonus, there are NO "woe is me I'm single" songs from Derek on this one like there have been on their previous releases (being single really isn't that depressing, I promise)! :) Seriously, this has some great material on it, and you'll do yourself a favor by getting a copy today.

I'd never heard of Caedmon's Call before I stumbled upon the track "Before There Was Time" on the internet (God bless file-sharing). That song got me completely hooked. I'd rate this CD 10 stars if I could. The lyrics of many of the songs on this album are simple and straightforward, yet beautiful all the same, and the music itself is more acoustic than anything, but in no way boring. The simple, falling-on-your-knees, crying-out-to-God type of praise that so many bands can't seem to produce is all over this thing, evident in songs like "God Who Saves" and "Thy Mercy." But "Oh Lord Your Love" is by far the most beautiful, tear-jerking song on this CD. It reminds us that no matter how we are feeling or what we are going through, God's love for us will never fade away. Even if you don't normally like blues/folk-rock music, this CD is one definitely worth adding to your collection.

This album has one focus...the glory of God. Young Joshua Moore lends more than just instrumental talents to this album and the focus of every song is Jesus. Sometimes Caedmon's likes to put songs about relationships (aka guy-girl songs) on their albums but this one is indeed a call to worship. Everything else in life is put aside for the contiuous praising of the Lord for what He did for us on the cross. Great stuff.

I recently went to a Caedmon's Call/Jars of Clay concert with my youth group and absolutely loved them. When I got home, I bought all the cds that they had played songs off of. This cd is awesome & truly captures their words and their meaning.

Caedmon's Call limits their normally broad range of lyrical topics to one -praise of the God of the universe-, but the music picks up right where 2000's Long Line of Leavers left off. This album stands in brilliant contrast to the lyrically, theologically, and/or musically bland "praise" music that has characterized the last 30 years of Christian publishing. The songs are enjoyable, substantive, and for the most part, new. This adds up to another great record from one of the best acts in the country today. My favorite track: while the music is catchier on some others, the lyrics to "Thy Mercy" are the most profound on the album.

Cademon's Call theological depth, high view of God, and reflective tendancies have made their "regular" albums winners. These strengths are magnified in a truly Theocentric worship CD.

I went to see Caedmon's Call in concert from this album's tour. I had heard a few of their songs before, but since seeing them in concert, I am blown away. This is a great praise and worship CD. Every song has a significant meaning and value. Without a doubt, this is a good "investment" for those who enjoy good Christian praise songs. Awesome!