Casting Crowns

Casting Crowns can no longer be called "emerging." Albums one and two broke records, as did the tours, and the live follow-ups went platinum. This release makes three home runs in a row. Raw emotion, pouring drums, and thinking-man's lyrics combine to make a moving and relevant set. The opening trilogy of tracks carries the project, hook-wise. The string of ballads that follow merge MercyMe's inspiration, Lifehouse's edge, and Third Day's vocal depth. Completely unexpected is the solemn and haunting closing chorus "White Dove Fly High," a bilingual duet of peace worthy of Andrea Bocelli.