Reunion Records / Beach Street Records
Release Date: August 9th 2024
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Casting Crowns– Casting Crowns: A 20 Yea7r Celebration Live at The Ryman (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- If We Are The Body
- Nobody (feat. Matthew West)
- Voice Of Truth
- Praise You In This Storm
- East To West
- Scars In Heaven
- All Because Of Mercy
- Oh My Soul (feat. Katy Nichole)
- Only Jesus
- Just Be Held
- Awaken Me
- Who Am I
If there’s a singer, a songwriter and someone in the CCM industry who has gone through hard trials, without question the lowest of lows, and has come through the other side somewhat relatively unscathed- it’s probably Mark Hall of Casting Crowns. The band has been around for a very long time, with their 2003 self-titled debut marking plenty more albums and hits, as well as awards and accolades- and with each listener and critic praising the 7-piece worship/pop/CCM band, Casting Crowns takes it all in their stride. Unassuming in the delivery of their songs (I don’t think they care very much for the flash, the big nor the grandiose!), it’s not really the music that they’ll be remember for so much, but it’s the lyrics. Biblical lyrics rooted in spiritual truth about a God who loves and adores us for all eternity. And about practical things that we can do in our daily walk with God so that we can stay closer to Him. Casting Crowns, for all their good songs such as “Who Am I?”, “Voice Of Truth”, “If We Are The Body”, “Praise You In The Storm”, “Lifesong”, “Slow Fade”, “East To West”, “Until The Whole World Hears”, “Glorious Day”, “Courageous”, “Jesus Friend Of Sinners”, “Thrive”, “All You’ve Ever Wanted”, “Just Be Held”, “Oh My Soul”, “One Step Away”, “Only Jesus”, “Nobody”, “One Awkward Moment”, “Scars In Heaven”, and “The Power Of The Cross” to name a few; are still doing this artist and music thing as part-time. As in travelling musicians in the middle of the week and as youth pastors on Fridays and the weekend. And that’s…quite remarkable, that they can keep going at this pace, and be full time youth pastors at all of their respective churches, yet still churn out high quality albums. But if that doesn’t wow you, then I’d have to say that their latest studio album Healer (Deluxe) will. We reviewed the album here, so take a read at your own pace if you want to.
For the band, I’d have to say that The Very Next Thing from 2016, was probably, and still is probably going to be the most personal of the band’s career, in that the bulk of the songs were written and recorded in light of Mark Hall’s cancer diagnosis. We reviewed the album here, and we concluded that there was this honesty and vulnerability there that isn’t present in many other Casting Crowns’ albums. Later on in 2018, we also reviewed Only Jesus; and Only Jesus has a kind of fearlessness to it overall, and a sense of ‘ok, we know where God is leading us, so what do we do now, and what are the things God is telling me to do in our lives to get to where He wants us to go?’ Mark was literally teetering on the edge of death- and he could have died at any moment, so I guess the boldness and courage displayed in that album was warranted. Mark has got a new lease on life, so why not use it actively to spread the gospel more and more? Only Jesus is the culmination of possibly the most difficult two years to song-write…for Mark at least. In the end, I personally was so touched by the album- and I find it as transparent and as hopeful, powerful and inspiring as my favourite Casting Crowns album of all- The Altar And The Door, which is a perfect Casting Crowns album in my mind.
But we’re not here to rehash the past, no matter how brilliant and exquisite Casting Crowns’ albums are. There’s always Jon’s blog about the group for you all to read if you want a deep dive into the history of the group and how the group has influenced us in our walk with Jesus. We’re here instead, to speak about Casting Crowns’ latest live album Casting Crowns: A 20 Year Celebration Live at The Ryman, which released in August this year. With the group delivering 12 of their biggest hits at the iconic Ryman Auditorium; these inspiring and reliable CCM heavyweights encourage and provide hope- each song oozing relevance and relatability. In September 2023, we are treated to one of the most musically and creatively impressive albums of the year, as the ‘covers’ album Lifesongs: A Celebration Of The First 20 Years released, with guest vocalists like CAIN, Phil Wickham, Matthew West, Anne Wilson, Amy Grant, Tauren Wells, MercyMe, Brian Littrell, Natalie Grant, Zach Williams, Tasha Layton, Katy Nichole, David Leonard, Jon Reddick, Sawyer Brown, Mac Powell, Steven Curtis Chapman, Ben Fuller, Big Daddy Weave, and Hannah Kerr all present on this groundbreaking and honouring album. you can read that review here; of what is a near flawless album comprising of some of the biggest hits of one of the most biblically sound artists out there- even now. And so, on the backdrop of that amazing project, here we are with a live album- and presumably a timely reminder of the hope we have in Jesus before these guys gather back to the studio for the next studio album effort.
Like Jon, I’ve been tremendously blessed and impacted by Casting Crowns– and Mark Hall & co. are one of my favourite Christian bands out there, ever…alongside others like Tenth Avenue North, Switchfoot, Skillet and for KING & COUNTRY, to name a few. Even though the music is standard CCM, as Casting Crowns write music that is primarily radio friendly and accessible to the average joe person; it is the lyrics that astound and amaze me deeply- these guys carefully craft some of Christian music’s most emotive and poignant lyrics. In essence and to put it bluntly; lyrically- the band is top notch, with all of the lyrics grounded in the Word of God, and reminding us of the qualities of God and who we are in light of that. This live album is everything great about Mark Hall and his band, and then amplified by 1000. If you haven’t been to a Casting Crowns concert, then you’re seriously missing out; and this album certainly is the next best thing, as we sit and stand and worship God for who He is. Songs like “Nobody”, “Voice Of Truth”, “Praise You In This Storm”, “East To West”, “Scars In Heaven”, “All Because Of Mercy”, “Oh My Soul” and “Only Jesus” are present here, and each are resonating and worthy singles- timeless classics and reminders of God’s faithfulness. And as you let Mark and co. minister to your soul, let’s sit back and marvel at the songwriting abilities of this 7 piece band. It truly is out of this world.
With nothing much more to say about this compelling and deeply impacting live album than what I’ve outlined already; let me say that as also with most recent album (the band’s first studio album in 4 years), this live project proves why Casting Crowns will be around for a long time yet, and why they have stayed as long as they have as a band together. So what is next for the group? As long as Mark is alive and cancer free like he has been for years…it’s new music. And tours and growing the kingdom. But for the near future, it’s ensuring anyone with hears to listen becomes immersed in these heartfelt 12 tracks. So, what are you guys waiting for? Let us hear Mark speak the truth in love, and be reminded that we need the Healer more than the healing. Don’t you think that’s a good idea?
3 songs to listen to: Praise You In This Storm, Only Jesus, Who Am I
Score: 5/5
RIYL: Matthew West, Tenth Avenue North, We Are Messengers, MercyMe, Hillsong UNITED