There 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 of Angels is the band's worship album. In a way, it is a lot like the Sparrow Records release Coram Deo from the early 90s: it features a lot of different writers and singers, with a few guests thrown in, with nontraditional style worship songs that will find their way into open-minded churches. Oh, and one other thing similar to Coram Deo: this album is pretty darned good.
"Oh Lord Your Love" is a Rich Mullins song that never was released during his career. Cliff Young has added some work to the musical arrangement, but the lyrics are pure Mullins:
Oh Lord, I give You all I have
But it seems so little
When You have given me so much
I come to You with empty hands
And a heart that's fragile
You come to me with a wealth of love
Kemper Crabb tunes, "The Danse" and "Warrior," are here as well -- the former featuring a pennywhistle. "God of Wonders," previously done on City on a Hill by Third Day, is also featured and gets an adult contemporary treatment here. A few old Isaac Watts hymns, "I Boast No More" and "Laden With Guilt" are updated and performed amazingly well by Sandra McCracken.
"We Delight" and "Who You Are" resemble a stronger version of Andrew Peterson vocally, while "Before There Was Time" recalls the harmonies of FFH. "Thy Mercy" has a great string arrangement by Ed Cash, and "God Who Saves" seems reminiscent of Twila Paris.
Definitely a mood piece, In the Company of Angels is an album I can picture in the background while studying the Bible, with the lyrics directing me to different Scriptures.
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 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
2000FFHFound a Place
1997Rick EliasBlink
1997Aaron + JeoffreyThe Climb
1998Greg LongJesus Saves
1999John ElefanteDefying Gravity
2005Ashley ClevelandMen and Angels Say
