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| Casting Crowns [Peace On Earth] |
| Released: October 7, 2008 Record Label: Beachstreet Records Buy this album from Musichristian.com now ! Review written by: Jay Heilman [jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org] |
Casting Crowns has been labeled by many fans and critics alike as one of the premier CCM artists out there today. Their
popularity has grown more and more with each album and although there are some out there who snub their popularity, one
thing is clear. They are not about fame or fortune, but are about reaching people for Christ through their unique art of
music.
Since starting out as a youth group band in Daytona Beach, FL in 2003, Casting Crowns has seemingly done it all in their
brief five year career. Since 2004, the group has won countless Dove Awards including Group of the Year and Songwriter
of the Year as well as a Grammy award and having one of the most successful tours of 2007-08 with their hugely
successful Altar and the Door tour, which is now a live project. Now after three studio and three live albums, comes the
band’s first Christmas record. We got a taste of Casting Crowns’ holiday spirit on the WOW Christmas CD a few years
back with the song “Away In A Manger”, but not until now has the band devoted an entire album to just Christmas music.
The selection was good too. Whereas a lot of artists try to take the route of recreating mainstream Christmas hits, Casting
Crowns took a more ministering approach with their selections instead trying to focus the music and covers on what
Christmas is and should be about, and that’s Jesus Christ. I enjoyed the band’s version of “O Come All Ye Faithful”
(which has always been a personal favorite), but I think one song that stuck out the most to me was the Mark Hall-penned
“While You Were Sleeping”. The song first appeared on the group’s 2005 album, Lifesong album, but seems to be a
perfect fit for this one.
While there are some pretty good songs on this one, I think another gem has got to be “God With Us”. The track features
the amazing vocals of Megan Garrett, which up to this point has only been featured in a lead role only a few times. I think
this was the perfect song to feature her on though. I would love to see her featured a little more on future Casting Crowns’
projects.
Overall, Christmas music wouldn’t fit in my ‘favorites’ category (most simply because most Christmas music is ‘Mas’
music – No Christ), I thoroughly enjoyed Peace On Earth. Christmas is the most exciting year to me and what better way
to get ready for the season in which the Lord gave us a Savior then to listen to some great and meaningful tunes to get you
in that Christmas spirit.
popularity has grown more and more with each album and although there are some out there who snub their popularity, one
thing is clear. They are not about fame or fortune, but are about reaching people for Christ through their unique art of
music.
Since starting out as a youth group band in Daytona Beach, FL in 2003, Casting Crowns has seemingly done it all in their
brief five year career. Since 2004, the group has won countless Dove Awards including Group of the Year and Songwriter
of the Year as well as a Grammy award and having one of the most successful tours of 2007-08 with their hugely
successful Altar and the Door tour, which is now a live project. Now after three studio and three live albums, comes the
band’s first Christmas record. We got a taste of Casting Crowns’ holiday spirit on the WOW Christmas CD a few years
back with the song “Away In A Manger”, but not until now has the band devoted an entire album to just Christmas music.
The selection was good too. Whereas a lot of artists try to take the route of recreating mainstream Christmas hits, Casting
Crowns took a more ministering approach with their selections instead trying to focus the music and covers on what
Christmas is and should be about, and that’s Jesus Christ. I enjoyed the band’s version of “O Come All Ye Faithful”
(which has always been a personal favorite), but I think one song that stuck out the most to me was the Mark Hall-penned
“While You Were Sleeping”. The song first appeared on the group’s 2005 album, Lifesong album, but seems to be a
perfect fit for this one.
While there are some pretty good songs on this one, I think another gem has got to be “God With Us”. The track features
the amazing vocals of Megan Garrett, which up to this point has only been featured in a lead role only a few times. I think
this was the perfect song to feature her on though. I would love to see her featured a little more on future Casting Crowns’
projects.
Overall, Christmas music wouldn’t fit in my ‘favorites’ category (most simply because most Christmas music is ‘Mas’
music – No Christ), I thoroughly enjoyed Peace On Earth. Christmas is the most exciting year to me and what better way
to get ready for the season in which the Lord gave us a Savior then to listen to some great and meaningful tunes to get you
in that Christmas spirit.
1. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
2. O Come All Ye Faithful
3. Joy To The World
4. While You Were Sleeping (Original Christmas Version)
5. Silent Night
6. God With Us
7. Away In A Manger
8. Christmas Offering
2. O Come All Ye Faithful
3. Joy To The World
4. While You Were Sleeping (Original Christmas Version)
5. Silent Night
6. God With Us
7. Away In A Manger
8. Christmas Offering
9. Sweet Little Jesus Boy
10. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
10. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
~ TRACK LISTING ~