Meeting the Cast Behind the Crowns

With two discs still simmering on Neilsen SoundScan’s sales charts, seven–member ensemble Casting Crowns now churns out its Lifesong Live CD/DVD project, a concert version of the band’s sophomore studio release. The new endeavor, which releases October 3, represents the Crowns’ second performance–oriented CD/DVD set, following 2004’s Live from Atlanta.

Not surprisingly, the Lifesong Live CD contains all the essential elements of a concert–style recording: audience applause, brief comments from lead singer Mark Hall and several expanded renditions of the band’s hallmark anthems. Although only six songs are prominently featured, all the standouts made the cut, including “Love Them Like Jesus,” “Praise You in This Storm” and “Stained Glass Masquerade.” Interestingly, a seventh (bonus) track, “Set Me Free,” appears on the CD (but not the DVD). The song replaces its standard driving guitar riffs with well–executed piano and violin instrumentation. Moreover, Hall’s gritty, impassioned vocals take the song to a new level of soul–stirring intensity.

While, early on, the disc seems to promise a satisfying listening experience, it starts to drift and ultimately feels a bit too run–of–the–mill. Perhaps infusing more conversation from Hall or additional musical improvisation would have helped capture the spirit of the performance.