Grace Hotel
                            Overall rating: +++

Album Reviews

Do not confuse Casting Crowns with Counting Crows. This pop/rock worship band sounds a lot like Steven Curtis Chapman, so it's no shock to see him listed as a producer, along with Mark Miller. If Mark's name sounds familiar, you may know that he's the frontman for country band Sawyer Brown (five-time TNN Vocal Band of the Year). Miller started Beach Street Records, and invited Chapman and Terry Hemmings of Provident to join him. Casting Crowns was the first act signed.

Casting Crowns includes seven members, making them the biggest Christian band since Caedmon's Call, at least in number. However, with the quality of their first record, they may get big in other ways as well. Lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall has been compared to Mac Powell of Third Day in his ability to convey his passion and connect with an audience. Casting Crowns first big single has been If We Are The Body:

But if we are the body / Why aren't His arms reaching? / Why aren't His hands healing? / Why aren't His words teaching? / And if we are the body / Why aren't His feet going? / Why is His love not showing them there is a way?

Casting Crowns is for fans of Steven Curtis Chapman and modern worship. A few songs rock a little more than you might expect and the message is loud and clear.
 

~ Randy Brandt

I first heard this CD when my son brought it home from a Casting Crowns concert. I borrowed it and never gave it back. I put it in my car CD player, and it stayed there for over a month. I never got tired of it. The message is in your face, and the music ranges from somber and reflective to joyous. The female back up singers add a great compliment to Mark Halls lead vocals. The song "Praise you with the dance" has an awesome almost celtic violin solo that just lifts you up. The whole CD is fantastic and after seeing them live in concert, my wife and I bought 3 more copies to share with our friend and family for Christmas. Mark Hall is the youth pastor at his church and still holds that position. For him and the band, its all about sharing the messege of faith. The band is actually the Youth praise band at his church. Music runs in Marks family. His father is our music minister at our Church and Mark even took time to sing in our choir at our Christmas concert at Church. He practices what he preaches. It doesn't get any more real. The power of the music can be awesome. When I saw them live I was so moved I had tears in my eyes. Thank You Casting Crowns. .

~ Mark Wrazen