Reviewed by Mark Lawrence

After a hugely successful last few years with two platinum-selling albums and equally well received live projects, Atlanta pop rockers Casting Crowns return with an album which explores the theme of how religious life can sometimes be left at the door of the church and fail to overspill into the world outside. Traditionally album number three is a defining point in a band's legacy: some bands self implode and produce an album high on production sheen but low on song quality (Oasis), other bands though go on to produce their masterpiece (Coldplay, Radiohead). In Casting Crowns' case album number three leans closer to the masterpiece than the flop but leaves you with a sense that they have even greater things to come. This in essence is the quintessential rock album with a mixture of up-tempo guitar-driven riffs on songs such as opener "What The World Needs Now" and the title track, sitting alongside the more anthemic, arms in the air tracks such as "Everyman" and "The Word Is Alive". What is particularly impressive is the lyrical content of all the songs on the album, which are written out of first hand experiences of working with real people with real struggles. Throughout 'The Altar And The Door' Casting Crowns display real integrity, the huge success they have experienced hasn't become their god, instead every song is drenched in a passion for God and a longing to go deeper with Jesus. Lead singer Mark Hall still works as a youth pastor and this has clearly helped keep him grounded and this album is a reflection on this. 'The Altar And The Door' is clearly a Casting Crowns album in sound, content and style but this is far from being a negative thing and will appeal to both existing fans as well as draw in new ones.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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