Lifesong

Casting Crowns | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 30, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Reunion
• ASIN: B000AA7HGK
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (100 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,819 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #10 in Music > Christian > Rock & Alternative
  • #84 in Music > Christian > Pop & Contemporary

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Much like their brethren Mercy Me, Casting Crowns was thrust into the limelight from a worship band beginning. With steady chops honed from hundreds of shows/services a year and a simple, straight-ahead rock style, the Florida-based band found themselves on top of the charts thanks to the success of massive singles "Who Am I?" and "The Voice of Truth" from its self-titled debut (2003). Lifesong is a sensible sophomore follow-up that shows the band expanding its musical creativity while lyrically remaining true to the cause. There’s a common thread of humility throughout as front man Mark Hall sings of the disenfranchised ("Does Anybody Hear Her"), the heartbroken ("Praise You in This Storm"), and the remorseful ("Prodigal"). Hall even calls outside for songwriting help from the brilliant Nichole Nordeman in "Stained Glass Masquerade," a cautionary warning about church hypocrisy in the face of keeping it real. The radio-friendly, U2- ish "Lifesong" proves a savvy book-end to the penitent closer "And Now My Lifesong Sings." Both evoke strong messages that worship is all about how one lives a life and not what kind of songs they may sing. Lifesong is an impressive effort for a band that knows its strengths and how to play to them. --Michael Lyttle

Product Description

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: CASTING CROWNS
Title: LIFESONG
Street Release Date: 08/30/2005
Domestic
Genre: GOSPEL

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong Sophomore Release, September 1, 2005

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lifesong (Audio CD)

Casting Crowns took the Christian music world by storm with their 2003 debut. Finally they are following up with this second CD. I'm happy to say I like it just as much as the first one.

Once again they share the focus among challenging the body of Christ, encouragement, and worship. The title track is a prayer of dedication really, asking that everything we do may be an act of worship to God. This is reinforced well with the final track which gives the reasons that our "Lifesong" should be singing to God.

"Praise You in this Storm" hit my right off the bat. I like the reminder of the verses that God is with us in the storms of life. I just wish my attitude was more like the chorus of praising Him no matter what.

"Does Anybody Hear Her" is another challenge to get out of our comfort zone, look past our prejudices, and help those around us in need.

"Stained Glass Masquerade" tackles the shallowness of many of us who act like we are perfect people when around Christians. It's a trait I recognize too well in my own life and think I need to really take to heart the challenge presented here.

"Love Them like Jesus" is described as a sequel to "Here I Go Again" from their first CD. It reminds us that our job when comforting others is to point them to Jesus, the only person who can truly help.

"Set Me Free" uses a driving beat to retell the story of a demon possessed man Jesus healed.

"While You Were Sleeping" is the only misstep on the album to me. While I agree with the idea that America is far from God with our policies, I think the comparison between Bethlehem and Jerusalem of Jesus' day goes too far.

"Father, Spirit, Jesus" is a wonderful praise chorus.

"In Me" takes the fear of failure and puts it on Jesus since He's the only way we'll do what He tells us to. Once again, the lyrics are great at reminding me how weak I am on my own but that I have straight in Him.

Finally, "Prodigal" is a great ballad of repentance inspired by the famous parable. Is there no limit to the great songs that can come from that story?

One of the things I liked about the first CD was the great lyrics, and they are still front and center here. It's taken a few extra listens to fully appreciate this CD, but I know I'll be listening to it for a long time to come.

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Classic!, August 30, 2005

By 

David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lifesong (Audio CD)

It's tough for a band like Casting Crowns to follow an initial CD that has become a classic with an equal or better offering. This title however, does that very thing! The lyrics are powerful and Biblical, and the music is top-notch. Each track addresses the church in a prophetic manner, reminiscent of the music of the late Keith Green.

The track "Stained Glass Masquerade" is especially appropriate, challenging church members to pull down spiritual facades and to embrace one another's humanity.

I'm thoroughly impressed -- Lifesong is definitely a must-have for any contemporary Christian music lover!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Keith Green's footsteps, September 26, 2005

By 

Torben "the Dane" (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lifesong (Audio CD)

In a time and day where most Christian music focus on self-centered songs and "I love you, and I want to dance for you"-kind-of-worship, it's incredibly refreshing that there is a band like Casting Crowns.

Where most Christian artists take the easy way out and send out yet another worship-album with the same 10-15 songs that everybody else has recorded already, or choose to just sing happy songs about random things, Casting Crowns take the road less traveled.

We desperately need more bands/singers like Casting Crowns who first and foremost are characterized by a true honesty about their faith (including weaknesses!!) and a deep hunger for more of the true God. They go in the footsteps of the one and only Keith Green who challenged and keeps challenging people all over the world with his no-compromise-songs and his wake-up-calls to the church.

Casting Crowns urge all of God's children to stand up from our sleep, to truly get to know the real God (and not the prosperity-"gospel"-god!), and to go out in the world of unbelievers and make a radical difference as God's hands and feet and "love them like Jesus"

Excellent album! Can't wait for #3:-)

Torben - "I will praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands, because You are who You are no matter where I am"