Lifesong

Casting Crowns

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 30, 2005)
• Original Release Date: August 30, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Reunion
• ASIN: B000AA7HGK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,624 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 80 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 (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

37 of 39 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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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 Awesome, January 28, 2006

By	jesuslover - See all my reviews

First off, if you like the first casting crowns cd, you'll love this even more, and if u didn't hear/didn't like the old cd, you'll still love this cd, there is some "iffy" parts in the cd but i love! it
1. Lifesong, 9.5/10 stars A good song, the "radio" song, but definetly not the best one on the cd
2. Praise you in this storm, 10/10 stars Just an awesome, flat out awesome song, as the title says, its a song about believin in our awesmoe god no matter what!
3. Dos Anybody Hear Her, 9/10 stars I like the bridge... an excellent song to listen to when your down!
4. Stained Glass Masquerade, 9/10 stars its a good swong about becoming more then just a church, and more then just a religion.
5. Love Them Like Jesus, 9.5/10 Stars The sequel to "Here I gGo Agian" a good quiet song
6. Set Me free, 10/10 stars This song rocks, a strong song from beggining to end, this is definetly my favorite, reminds me of American Dream, it just has a little more "kick," if you know what i mean
7. While you were sleeping, 9.75/10 this song is a quiet song, about the fact that bethleham and juruselem kicked Jesus out, i personally think they went a tiny far on the bethehem part, but at the end when it talks about the U.S.A it hit me really hard. This is definetly a good song to listen to
8. Father spirt Jesus, 9/10 good song
9. In me, 9/10 A good song, lol
10. Prodigal, 10/10 song i rate this a 10 because it si a VERY pretty song
11. And Now my lifesong sings, 10/10 sorta a remake of lifesong, i love it, much prettier then lifesong, but i luv em' both!

Overall this si an excellent cd, i luv it and would sugest it to ever1 i know, including non-christian!