Casting Crowns
Lifesong
Reunion Records
11 tracks @ 52:19

After racking up lots of sales with their debut CD and garnering seven Dove Awards, Casting Crowns’ second release is one of the more anticipated records of the year. On “Lifesong,” the group doesn’t stray far from what worked before.

It’s easy to point out the similarities between this record and their debut; from the AC pop-rock musical style to the similar themes in the songs’ lyrics. For example, “Stained Glass Masquerade,” (written by Nicole Nordeman and Crowns’ lead singer Mark Hall) and “Doesn’t Anybody Want Her,” both recall “We Are the Body” from the first record. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The overall theme of this record strikes me as we need Jesus in our lives and we need to get Jesus into the lives of others. What’s so wrong with that? Plus, there are a couple of worship tunes, including “Praise You in This Storm.”

What I really like about this record is the listing of scriptural influences for each song. The group states in the linear notes that they hope to challenge listeners to study the scriptures and that they pray that God touches our hearts the way He has touched theirs. What’s wrong with that?

I would like to see the group get a little more adventurous musically on their next disk, but for now “Lifesong” will do just fine.

The Crowns are on tour till the end of the year. Catch them if you can.

- Rob S.