Customer Reviews

Peace on Earth

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I heard Casting Crowns was releasing a Christmas CD, I couldn't wait. I love their music for taking the familiar and making me look at it in a fresh way. So when I got this CD I was a little disappointed with the play list. It is mostly familiar carols. But once I started listening to it, that feeling went away.

Yes, the familiar carols are here and are plentiful. Yet they sound beautiful. There are gorgeous harmonies on "O Come All Ye Faithful." The guitar is fun on "Joy to the World." "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" gets a new melody. With a string background, it sounds like a lullaby. And the instrumental version of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is absolutely breathtaking. It is written for violin but the interplay between it and the piano (and to a lesser extent the orchestra) is haunting.

Only one song on here is truly new. "Christmas Offering" is a praise song, and I truly enjoy it. I've only heard "God is with Us" recorded one other place, by Amy Grant on the Gloria project. This version doesn't stray far away from the original. In fact, it is sung entirely by one of the female members of the group.

And that brings us to "While You Were Sleeping." When I first heard them sing it on LIFESONG, I thought it sounded like a Christmas song. Apparently, it originally was. The only change here is the second verse. Instead of going to Jerusalem, it focuses on the hardships of Mary and the baby that first night. The song sounds the same. And it includes the third verse that focuses on America. I'm still not a fan of that verse, but I have softened to it some over the years.

But I've saved the best for last. The disc opens with a new melody for "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," including a new chorus sung by a boy's choir. It really makes the song come alive in a new way.

I wish they had taken the time to write a few more original tracks for this disc. But what is here is certainly enjoyable. I know I will listen to this CD for many years to come.

I had heard Casting Crowns singing "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" and decided I would buy this CD just for that song. But, as expected from this great group, the other songs are wonderful, too. I will be playing this CD alot during the Christmas season and will still enjoy it after Christmas has come and gone. Even though the songs they are performing are traditional Christmas songs, they sound new, so I find myself listening to the words with new meaning. In one word, I rate this CD as "Wonderful".

I was worried that this was going to be Casting Crowns slightly odd take on traditional Christmas music but I was dead wrong. Many of the songs are in the style of Casting Crowns regular music and are really great songs. Mixed in with that are traditional songs done in upbeat but traditional ways. I hesitate to use the word contemporary, because the songs stay true to their traditional arrangements most of the time, they are just performed really well.

Great Album!!! Buy it for sure.

Alright. Pure love!! It is the most beautiful music with a twist of melancholy, but not enough to make the listener sad. Only enough to give the chills. And - at the same time it gives me the cheerful christmas mood. I like the fact that casting crowns are combining rock, old psalms (I love old psalms!) with new harmonies, strings, and a few songs they wrote themselves. There are violins or cellos in almost every number. Georgeous. Lovely. Oh just buy it already!!! You won't be disappointed. That would only be because I love it so dearly, that after reading this you're expectations have increased too much... ... What am I talking about. Nonsense! No matter how high your expectations are, they will be met. This is magic. Heaven. Pure Love.

Like the CD, and really like the band overall. The first song is my favorite off this CD. My 8yo son goes around singing it all the time.

I love this CD so much, I have bought four of them to give as gifts. My favorite song is "While You Were Sleeping." This is the most powerful up-to-date words to a Christmas song I have ever heard. It gives a very needed message. I have a hard time understanding how anyone could rate this CD a one. There is not one song that I am disappointed in. As far as I am concerned, this is a must-have Christmas CD.

I love Casting Crowns and I bought this CD 2 years ago. I used to listen it to the car's CD player, but now I want to put it on my Sony mp3 player (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GIUPLU/ref=oss_product). Do you know how can I do that? SonycStage software says it can not convert media rich CD's.

AWESOME. LOST MINE SOMTIME LAST YEAR AND JUST HAD TO GET ANOTHER ONE. LOVE THE MUSIC AND IT REALLY SPEAKS TO MY HEART.

This is a great cd. It was great at Christmas, however, I listen to it in my car a lot. There are songs that are not just for Christmas, but for worship. I love it!

I heard this group perform at the White House in 2008 on T.V. and ever since I have been enjoying their music. In particular I think this album is very special! We went to a live performance in Asheville in Nov 2010. I listen to this particular album all year long and I never get tired of it! Has alot of feeling!!!