Dropping today is the new Casting Crowns CD -- “Until The Whole World Hears”. I’ll be posting meaningful lyrics on Twitter as I listen throughout the day. So far what I have heard is pretty good. Here’s a video preview of the CD from Mark Hall.
I have always had this conspiracy theory that record labels and artists follow a pattern to get more $$ from the people that enjoy their music. If you follow the pattern it goes like this… Artist makes 2 CD’s, a Greatest Hits and then a Christmas CD. With this in mind, when I saw that Casting Crowns was coming out with a Christmas CD, it came with a bit of a roll of the eyes. I gotta say this to Mark Hall and the gang….MY FAULT!
I know Christmas is only a few short weeks away, but this CD is a great download and purchase for this season. I am convinced there are only like 10 or 20 Christmas songs and every band remakes them and sells it. Yet Casting Crowns found away to re-mix some of their own music (“While You Were Sleeping“) and great worship songs (“Christmas Offering“) like the one below. While there are a few of the familiar favorites on this CD (“Silent Night“, “Oh Come All Ye Faithful“), they have done a great job.
So if you are looking for a CD to put in the car or iPod this season, I highly recommend “Peace On Earth” by Casting Crowns. Mark and the gang have done a great job of reminding each of us of the reason for the season. I even enjoyed it enough to not consider it a conspiracy theory!
“Christmas Offering” by Casting Crowns from the CD “Peace on Earth”
[audio http://leftfield8.com/audio/ccchristmas.mp3]
The Casting Crowns concert last night didn’t disappoint. This was my first time to see them live. I don’t go to many concerts, but there is a short list that I am starting to create of “must see” acts (Chris Tomlin, MercyMe). You can now add Casting Crowns. John Waller was terrific as well. With all of the familiar faces in the crowd, I couldn’t help but wonder how incredible Heaven will be one day. Makes me want to break out in a chorus of “When we all get to Heaven”!
One of the more reflective moments came during the song “Somewhere in the Middle”. Sitting 2 rows in front of us was a couple from our church. Sitting directly behind me were two guys I went to college with. They are 2 guys that know me when I wasn’t..well…who I am today. I couldn’t help but smile at the lyrics -
“Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be.
Somewhere in the middle you’ll find me
Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who you’re making me
Somewhere in the middle you’ll find me.”
There couldn’t have been a more accurate representation of those lyrics. Behind me were 2 guys that represented “who I was” and in front of me sat a couple that represented “who you’re making me”. Ironically enough…I was somewhere in the middle.
“Somewhere in the Middle” by Casting Crowns
[audio http://leftfield8.com/audio/ccsomewhere.mp3]
