Casting Crowns (Gift Edition/+DVD) [Digipak] - Casting Crowns

Advantages: Great variety of styles, Biblical lyrics, Honest singing
Disadvantages: none

...Casting Crowns are a Christian Rock band from Atlanta. Their music came to light with the awe inspiring single 'Who Am I'. They are led by Mark Hall and this is their second album. 'Lifesong' is an album full of truth about the Christian message. As a group their aim has always been to show people the love of Jesus Christ and this wonderful album does just that. The album is a story and each track from 1-11 forms a jigsaw of this story of hope. Whoever you are there will be at least one track on the album that touches you. For me this is 'Prodigal'. The music and words blend wonderfully and the fact that as Christians we can call God 'Dad' really comes through. Many of the lyrics are biblical and this is an album which I have had for a number of months now and its message is refreshing every time.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Walkaway
Disadvantages: John Power is so much better with Lee Mavers

...Lee Mavers, absolute genius, he and John Power were in a band called The La's, they released a brilliant self-titled album, then Lee just got fed up and went away. John was left with not much at all. What did he do? He formed a band with Keith O'Neill, Peter Wilkinson and Liam Tyson. Together, they were 'Cast'. This is their album, All Change... Alright - Album starter, it shuffles along, sounds like The La's but the amps have been turned up a notch. John Power almost whines that he is alright, if this isn't a pop at Mr Mavers then I am Elvis Presley. It does rock but there isn't much roll, the guitars are trying to sound as if they are playing the defining riff of music. A bit more effort and it could have been a smash hit but instead it sounds like a b-side. 7/10. Promised Land - More of the same except Power's voice rings a lot... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good mix of music, nice melodies, fine guitar work
Disadvantages: A couple of weak songs

...Cast brought this album out in 1995 at a time when British Indie music was beginning to bear fruit once again with the likes of Oasis and Blur. It was a fairly dynamic time for the music industry and Cast were not slow on the uptake with this really fine collection of songs. It took me a good few listens before the album grew on me but once it had I couldn't understand why it had taken so long! It really is a cherished part of my collection. I still wonder if they could have done better than John Power's broad Liverpool accent as vocals but, then, perhaps that is part of it. It certainly is a distinctive sound. The album itself is a collection of almost funky pop/rock tunes with one or two slow efforts to bring you back down again. The album starts with 'Alright', a fantastically high tempo rock song that just sounds so good... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful