 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Search our entire site here |
|
| ><> CMR Album Review <>< |
'The Altar and the Door Live'
[Release Date: August 19, 2008] (Beachstreet Records)
Track Listing
1. All Because Of Jesus [Listen]
2. Praise You With The Dance [Listen]
3. Love Them Like Jesus [Listen]
4. Every Man [Listen]
5. The Word Is Alive [Listen]
6. Somewhere In The Middle [Listen] *
7. East To West [Listen]
8. What This World Needs [Listen]
* Guest performance by John Waller
1. All Because Of Jesus [Listen]
2. Praise You With The Dance [Listen]
3. Love Them Like Jesus [Listen]
4. Every Man [Listen]
5. The Word Is Alive [Listen]
6. Somewhere In The Middle [Listen] *
7. East To West [Listen]
8. What This World Needs [Listen]
* Guest performance by John Waller
| ><> Review Written By: Jay Heilman (jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org) <>< ><> Date Written: August 5, 2008 <>< |
| [ Main Review ] |
| [ Writer's Closing Thoughts ] |
| Thus far I have enjoyed the Live releases from Casting Crowns and Altar Live is no different. As mentioned in the review, the only complaint I have is that I wish the band would do full-length concert CD/DVD that spans across all of their hits and more. Musically, this release isn't as polished as the two previous, but it was still impressive nonetheless. Bottom line, the band delivers once again what is sure to become a fan favorite. |
I absolutely love Casting Crowns. I remember first hearing “Voice of Truth” on the radio
waves back when I worked for a CHR affiliated radio station in Zephyrhills, FL in late 2004.
That was all it took to get me hooked on one of the most successful Christian groups of the
last five years. Having said that, I get excited when I hear that the group is releasing an
album, whether it be a studio album, or in this case a live album.
August 19th, marks the release of Casting Crowns’ third live installment, this time covering
the hits from their August 28, 2007 release, The Altar and the Door. In this third live
release, fans can expect much of the same of the past releases. The biggest songs and
performances from the selected album’s live national tour. I can say that I was part of this
project in a way. Musically? No. Production? No. Then how was Jay Heilman of Christian
Music Review involved with this Casting Crowns’ project? Well, I was a member of the
audience at the show they recorded and used for this particular release! Yes, I am a part
of Casting Crowns history. I tried spotting myself in the concert DVD that accompanies the
CD, but no luck. There were just too many people there! Just kidding. :-) The concert
contains the two biggest hits from Altar, including “East To West” and “Slow Fade”. Mark
spends some time between each song encouraging the crowd in their personal walks with
Christ. I guess it’s the youth pastor in him, but that’s what I really like about CC’s Mark
Hall. He’s a straight forward, no non-sense and humble kind of guy.
The set-listing on this release was somewhat different then the others. While Live in
Atlanta and Lifesong Live only contained songs from the corresponding albums, Altar Live
included two other songs, one being “Praise You With The Dance” and the other, “Love
Them Like Jesus”. You’ll especially like the little guitar-fiddle duel at the beginning of
“Praise…” The wife definitely shows up the husband on this round! It was great to see
this live too. It really got the crowd going, before Megan Garrett bursts into the vocals end
of the track.
The group also performs my personal favorite from the album, “The Word Is Alive”. The
message behind this song is definitely one that people need to hear. It teaches us to
focus on God’s word and not denomination, version of the Bible or anything else that takes
your focus off of Christ. The band is joined in “Somewhere In The Middle” by new artist
and special guest, John Waller. While Waller only serves as background vocals on the
track, but it is a time for people to catch a glimpse of what this extremely talented and
ministry-first focused artist has to offer. We actually got the opportunity to hang out with
John backstage just prior to performing with the band. He was humbled and honored that
the band would ask him to come out and sing with them.
The DVD portion of this release features the music video for "Every Man" along with
behind the scenes footage of the band as well as instructional videos.
All in all, this live addition is a must have for Casting Crowns fans, but after three album-
specific live releases, I wonder when the band will release a full-length concert DVD
featuring hits from all of their albums. For those of you who are wondering what’s next for
the band, you can check them out this fall when they release their first Christmas CD,
Peace On Earth which is due out in stores on October 7, 2008.
waves back when I worked for a CHR affiliated radio station in Zephyrhills, FL in late 2004.
That was all it took to get me hooked on one of the most successful Christian groups of the
last five years. Having said that, I get excited when I hear that the group is releasing an
album, whether it be a studio album, or in this case a live album.
August 19th, marks the release of Casting Crowns’ third live installment, this time covering
the hits from their August 28, 2007 release, The Altar and the Door. In this third live
release, fans can expect much of the same of the past releases. The biggest songs and
performances from the selected album’s live national tour. I can say that I was part of this
project in a way. Musically? No. Production? No. Then how was Jay Heilman of Christian
Music Review involved with this Casting Crowns’ project? Well, I was a member of the
audience at the show they recorded and used for this particular release! Yes, I am a part
of Casting Crowns history. I tried spotting myself in the concert DVD that accompanies the
CD, but no luck. There were just too many people there! Just kidding. :-) The concert
contains the two biggest hits from Altar, including “East To West” and “Slow Fade”. Mark
spends some time between each song encouraging the crowd in their personal walks with
Christ. I guess it’s the youth pastor in him, but that’s what I really like about CC’s Mark
Hall. He’s a straight forward, no non-sense and humble kind of guy.
The set-listing on this release was somewhat different then the others. While Live in
Atlanta and Lifesong Live only contained songs from the corresponding albums, Altar Live
included two other songs, one being “Praise You With The Dance” and the other, “Love
Them Like Jesus”. You’ll especially like the little guitar-fiddle duel at the beginning of
“Praise…” The wife definitely shows up the husband on this round! It was great to see
this live too. It really got the crowd going, before Megan Garrett bursts into the vocals end
of the track.
The group also performs my personal favorite from the album, “The Word Is Alive”. The
message behind this song is definitely one that people need to hear. It teaches us to
focus on God’s word and not denomination, version of the Bible or anything else that takes
your focus off of Christ. The band is joined in “Somewhere In The Middle” by new artist
and special guest, John Waller. While Waller only serves as background vocals on the
track, but it is a time for people to catch a glimpse of what this extremely talented and
ministry-first focused artist has to offer. We actually got the opportunity to hang out with
John backstage just prior to performing with the band. He was humbled and honored that
the band would ask him to come out and sing with them.
The DVD portion of this release features the music video for "Every Man" along with
behind the scenes footage of the band as well as instructional videos.
All in all, this live addition is a must have for Casting Crowns fans, but after three album-
specific live releases, I wonder when the band will release a full-length concert DVD
featuring hits from all of their albums. For those of you who are wondering what’s next for
the band, you can check them out this fall when they release their first Christmas CD,
Peace On Earth which is due out in stores on October 7, 2008.
| 4.0 |
| 2.5 |
| 1.5 |
| 0.5 |
| 8.5 |
| 85% B |
