The Altar and the Door - Casting Crowns

Casting Crowns is back with their third studio album, "The Altar and the Door", and truly are better than ever.  With an already amazing career behind them, this disc only builds on their success, and confirms their place among the top contemporary christian artists of today.  Though some songs are forgettable, most keep to their trademark style and straight forward lyrics that has gotten them this far.  Starting things off we have, "What This World Needs" and "Every Man"which bring out the southern rock in their music, while "East to West" is more of a worship ballad, and sounds similar to other arists like MercyMe and Third Day.  Other stand-outs include  the upbeat "All Because of Jesus" (also recorded by Fee) and "Somewhere in the Middle" which thoughtfully explains how we as Christians should not lukewarm to this world, but solid and unwavering.  So while they have room to grow, this album has taken another leap into the bright future of this ounstanding band. ~ Christian Lingner

4 of 5 stars