Caedmon's Call has the unique ability to take a worn-out style and breathe new life into it. When they hit the national CCM market in the late nineties, their depth of emotional exploration and ability to capture common truths in elegant and never-clichéd language gave a glimmer of hope to Christian music fans. Before then, there were stars, yes; talent, yes; but ne'er the twain did meet--until Caedmon's Call. They earned the respect of audiences through relentless touring of the South and Heartland, and the respect of listeners through honest lyrics and well-crafted songs.
In the Company of Angels contains shining moments like those that made so many of us fall for them. The depth and quality of lyrics--loosely tied around the common theme of worshipping in the heavenly company of all the saints throughout time--make this album a stand-out among the cookie-cutter worship albums so many bands are clamoring to release. Cliff Young, Derek Webb, and Danielle Young again share lead vocals, often trading off within the same song--a technique they have not done this well since their national debut. In the variety of vocal styles, mixed song structures (especially the more extensive bridges), and combination of studio and live recordings, Company has a breadth and depth that keep the album unified but not constricted.
The album is not flawless. There really is no need for 'God of Wonders' to be on this album. Previously released on the collaborative City on a Hill project, the canned live version of this mediocre praise song panders to warm-fuzzy experience-mongerers. A downloadable mp3 on the band's website would have reached just as many fans without lowering the standard on Company. But songs like 'I Boast No More,' 'Oh Lord Your Love,' 'Thy Mercy,' and 'God Who Saves' more than make up for any low moments on the album. This is certainly a CD that every Caedmon's Call fan can be proud of, as well as be welcomed in the acoustic-worship crowd.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Brian A. SmithThere seems to be a formula in the way records are produced nowadays in the CCM world: overpromoted or surprise breakthrough debut album, rushed follow up, live album, greatest hits album (with three new songs), solo album if applicable, Christmas album, and finally, worship album. Caedmon's Call is one of the better groups to emerge from the corporate mill that affects 90% of CCM. In the Company…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Jessica HeikoopFrom start to finish, In the Company of Angels: A Call to Worship is an ear pleaser, much like Caedmon's Call's previous work. Full of powerful vocals, inspiring lyrics and beautiful melodies, this album is one you'll listen to over and over. The album is undoubtedly worship oriented. Most songs are slow- to mid-tempo, such as "God Who Saves," "Carry Your Love," "I Boast No More" and "God of…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Alex KlagesThis new album by Caedmon's Call is a worship project, so in addition to the studio-produced tracks, there are a few live tracks scattered in. On the whole, it is a solid album, and shows that the coffeehouse stylings of Caedmon's Call lend themselves well to a worship-oriented project. There's not much of this album that would have sounded out of place on any of their other albums. The vocals…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Trae CadenheadWhen I received this CD in the mail and first gave it a listen, I was tempted to slap it with a so-so rating of 3 tocks, quickly review it, and get on with life. Thankfully, life got busy, and I didn't have time to review the album for about two weeks. During that time, I gave In the Company of Angels several listens. Now, as I write this, I can say that Caedmon's Call's new worship CD is worthy…Similar sounding releases
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