When 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 of your listening ear.
My initial reaction of dismissing In the Company of Angels as simply another worship album was based on the fact that I truly feel that worship music has been overdone simply because it is a profitable genre. The fact that Caedmon's Call never led worship in any of the three concerts I have seen them play didn't help much either. However, I learned that the band actually began leading worship at their church in Houston, Texas. They state in their press kit that their goal in their music all along has been to lead people to desire to worship. Now they are simply leading people in worship.
The lyrics on In the Company of Angels are rich and much better than might be expected from a basic worship album. Three of the songs are actually old hymns ("Thy Mercy," "I Boast No More," and "Laden with Guilt") and create some of the best moments on the album. Many songs are contributed by songwriters who are not members of Caedmon's Call but part of their big family. These include Rich Mullins, Sandra McCracken, and Kemper Crabb. The inclusion of the hit song "God of Wonders" is not surprising, but I am very grateful that Caedmon's Call used a live version of the song. The tune "Warrior" was recorded live as well.
Once again, Caedmon's Call has recorded an album that is extremely rich musically. The band has always had a large amount of percussion, known mainly for its trash cans. This time around the percussion has more of a global feel to it, taking the next step musically that the band needed for this worship album.
I have to say that I'm proud of Caedmon's Call for pulling this album off well, even though it does seem almost more than coincidental that they release it right now. I guess this proves that sometimes trends can bring about good things, though it may be once in a blue moon.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
ReAL Magazine 2001Reviewed by Timothy Paul YenterCaedmon'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…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…Similar sounding releases
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