The Altar and the Door

by Casting Crowns

Overview

Expectations ran sky-high for Casting Crowns' third studio album following a couple of years as Contemporary Christian Music's best-selling and most-played artist. The looming question wasn't whether lead singer and songwriter Mark Hall would drastically change his formula -- that was doubtful after the group's first two albums were certified Platinum faster than any other artist in CCM history (Jars of Clay was the only other group to accomplish the feat). The question for fans was whether or not the runaway success would change the band's heart. Casting Crowns rose to prominence due to Hall's "painful but true" storytelling of the Christian condition and his comforting calls to reform. The Altar and the Door picked up where Lifesong left off, this time with a slightly greater dose of rock. This time around, songs centered on the disconnect between the faith believers feel during worship and the doubt that plagues them during the rigors of daily life. In other words, how to overcome the spirit being willing but the flesh being weak. Where former albums drew their strength from ballads and AC pop, Altar gave the world upbeat rock classics. The first three tracks showcase more grunge guitar than could be heard on all of Lifesong. "What This World Needs" is a tense, fast-paced rocker that opens the album with the same urgency as Jars of Clay's "Work." "Every Man" and "Slow Fade" also draw on mature rock themes. The band still offers a handful of its signature ballads, reaching a pinnacle on "The World Is Alive" and "I Know You're There." Casting Crowns gave fans no reason to be disappointed on The Altar and the Door, and anyone living under a rock who was unfamiliar with the band at the time of its release would find little to dispel the group's reign among CCM artists. ~ Jared Johnson

Product Details

Release Date:	08/28/2007
Label:	Reunion
UPC:	0602341011723

Tracks

1. What This World Needs
2. Every Man
3. Slow Fade
4. East to West
5. The World Is Alive
6. The Altar and the Door
7. Somewhere in the Middle
8. I Know You're There
9. Prayer for a Friend
10. All Because of Jesus

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Casting Crowns   Primary Artist
Connie Ellisor   Violin
Hector Cervantes   Guitar (Electric)
Melodee DeVevo   Violin,Vocals (Background)
Tonya Nolan   Guest Artist
Carole Neuen-Rabinowitz   Cello
Gunnar Miller   Guest Artist
Madison Miller   Guest Artist
Logan Miller   Guest Artist
Stefan Petrescu   Violin
Christopher Farrell   Viola
Pamela Sixfin   Violin
Jim Grosjean   Viola
Mary Kathryn Van Osdale   Violin
John Catchings   Cello
Mark Hall   Vocals
Chris Huffman   Bass
Catherine Umstead   Violin
Megan Garrett   Piano,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
David Angell   Violin
Alan Umstead   Violin
Jim Gray   Conductor
Monisa Angell   Viola
Anthony LaMarchina   Cello
Juan DeVevo   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Gary VanOsdale   Viola

Technical Credits

Mark Adam Miller   Audio Production
Blair Masters   Contribution
Steven Curtis Chapman   Composer
Bernie Herms   Composer,Contribution,String Arrangements
Hector Cervantes   Composer,Group Member
Melodee DeVevo   Group Member
Stephanie McBrayer   Stylist,Art Direction
Stephen Lamb   Copyist
Jeremy Cowart   Photography
Bill Whittington   String Engineer
Mark Hall   Composer,Group Member
Steve Beers   Assistant
Chris Huffman   Group Member
Bobby Huff   Contribution
Richard Dodd   Mastering
Nichole Nordeman   Composer
Megan Garrett   Group Member
Adam Nitti   Contribution
Juan DeVevo   Group Member
Dale Oliver   Engineer,Contribution
Michael Hewitt   Engineer
Terry Hemmings   Executive Producer
Tim Parker   Design,Art Direction
Charles Dujic   Make-Up,Hair Stylist
Steve Fee   Composer
Jason McArthur   A&R