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| The Altar and the Door | 
 enlarge | Artist: Casting Crowns
Label: Reunion
Category: Music
List Price: $17.98
Buy New: $11.90
You Save: $6.08 (34%)
New (35) Used (8) from $9.19
Avg. Customer Rating:  58 reviews
Sales Rank: 277
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 10117
UPC: 602341011723
EAN: 0602341011723
ASIN: B000RGUHIM
Release Date: August 28, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New and Factory Sealed Item Fast Shipping
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| Customer Reviews:
 Take it to the Streets Guys. September 12, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
As my title suggests, Casting Crowns wants the people to get up and do, rather than sit back and watch, as the title to this CD subtly suggests. Once you get into this disk, you'll get what I mean. The major message that I'm taking from this one that we still have to be Christians outside of the building that some call a "church". If you look the word up, a church is actually a group of people acting together or gathering together to serve Christ. Serving Christ doesn't mean just sitting together on a Sunday morning in a building together and listening to the pastor and singing and reading the Gospel. Sure, all of these things are great, but the way to really connect with your true Christian calling is by serving the Lord through outreach and participating in our communities the way his Son did. These truths are evident in the tracks "The Altar and the Door", "What this World Needs", and "Somewhere in the Middle". Another theme that I found on this disk is forgiveness. This is found in my second favorite track "East to West". I think this one is about a guy that is ashamed of something that he's done in the past, and if he can't receive forgiveness, he'll do it again. However, the message here is that through God, you can find anything you need, and that HE is merciful and full of forgiveness. Very powerful stuff. My favorite track though would have to be "The Word is Alive". The message to this one is self evident. All in all, Casting Crowns hasn't made a bad CD yet, and I don't expect them to really. Please buy this CD and listen to it closely. Its messages may change you, or at least encourage you. Peace and Love.
 Different CC but same great music... September 9, 2007
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
I ll go ahead and warn you all that this cd sounds a little different than their first two endeavors, but it still has the same quality of good song. If your a CC fan, you definaly must buy it!
Another Great Release September 6, 2007
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
Christian soft rock group Casting Crowns has taken the Christian music world by storm thanks to two strong previous releases. And their third project should continue the trend.
The group has captured audiences with challenging lyrics and great music. There's nothing earth shattering with either, but both work together to create some great music.
The disc starts off with the rock anthem "What This World Needs." Think "If We are the Body" but faster. The song reminds us that the world needs Christ more then it needs 100% perfect outward appearances. After all, the heart is what counts.
The title of the album comes from the idea that somewhere between hearing what we should do during church (the altar) and driving away (the door), we loose the certainty and conviction we had. I'll just say been there, done that. That theme is explored in two songs. The first is the title track, which really explains the theme better then I ever could. And it's rather convicting to hear my struggle put into words. The second is the next track, "Somewhere in the Middle." In fact, the phrase "between the altar and the door" shows up in this song, too. The song is a challenge to get out of the luke warm world we too often live in.
As with other Casting Crown's CDs, this one features a couple worship songs. And, once again, they don't grab me. There's nothing wrong with "I Know You're There" and "All Because of Jesus," but they aren't as special as some of their other tracks.
My two favorite songs are back to back. "Slow Fade" is a challenge to all men to not fall away from the faith. It really drives home the importance of constantly standing guard because no one crumbles in a day. It's a slower song with a haunting sound. And it ends with lead singer Mark Hall's daughter singing "Because Little Eyes." It's enough to give me chills.
Appropriately enough, the next song is "East to West." As you might guess, this song talks about forgiveness. It explores the difficulty we have in accepting God's forgiveness and the weight of shame we try to live under. As with so many of their songs, the lyrics are powerful.
Musically, there are few surprises here for the long time fan. But that's just fine because their music is wonderful.
I'm surprised I haven't worn out Casting Crown's first two releases I've listened to them so often. This one will certainly suffer the same fate.
A little different, but still solid September 5, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The first song on this album reveals that Casting Crowns is a little different this time around. Musically, they have added more variety while, on the whole, moving toward a harder rock sound. Lyrically, they are still focused on challenging Christians; however, the preaching does not make them forget to put some good poetry in their lyrics.
"What This World Needs" starts with a few seconds of electronic sound that I'm not sure I like, but then moves into a powerful rock sound teamed with powerful lyrics calling Christians out for getting in the way of the gospel. I like it.
"Every Man" has a good sound, but so far it doesn't really grab me.
"Slow Fade" is an amazing song--probably my favorite of the album--about compromises slowly leading to downfall. The choice to use a child at the end singing "O be careful little eyes what you see" works very well.
"East to West," which has already gotten significant radio play as a single, sounds more like the old Casting Crowns and features some very good lyrics, including a poetic reminder that having our sin removed as far as the east is from the west means that Christ came in between us and it.
"The Word Is Alive" is a long, powerful song that just has a lot of good content paired with great music. I haven't digested it all yet--that will take several more listens--but I'll probably love this one more and more as I do.
"The Altar and the Door," strangely enough, is one of the weakest songs on the album. I don't really like the sound of it that well, though it has a good message.
"Somewhere in the Middle" is another one of my favorites. It has a similar message to "The Altar and the Door," but better done. "Fearless warriors in a picket fence" is an image that will stick with you, and it's not the only good image in the song. It also features cellos, violas, and violins for a more orchestral sound.
"I Know You're There" I found somewhat forgettable, though not bad.
"Prayer for a Friend" is simple and good, though poetically unremarkable.
"All Because of Jesus" is pretty good, but not the most remarkable song on the album. After this song and period of silence, however, there is a hidden song called "White Dove Fly High," which I have learned is in Korean and English and was sung when Casting Crowns visited Korea. It doesn't sound like Casting Crowns normally does, but I like it nevertheless.
Great CD, a must have September 5, 2007
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Casting Crowns should write a book titled, "This is how you write music that blesses people." I have never heard a song by these guys I didn't like. I studied music for three years on the college level, and I find I am more critical than most when it comes to giving 5 stars. This CD really deserves 4 and three quarter stars. What I appreciate about this band is that they continually write excellent hooks, beautiful melodies, and outstanding lyrics. Their music catches your attention, and motivates your heart. They are accomplishing exactly what they have set out to do, to bring people closer to God. Excellent CD, you can't go wrong here.
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