A band that writes clearly Christian lyrics backed up with a vaguely country rock sound will always have an audience in the American Christian music scene, no matter what their level of talent. Of course, Casting Crowns are huge. But that doesn’t change the fact that they sound like your moderately musical youth pastor fronting Hootie and the Blowfish. This CD/DVD package features a live presentation of their last album, and with the exception of the occasional detour into melodramatic Creed territory, it’s pretty much par for the course. Which means that it is devoid of musical creativity or inspiration. This is the kind of band that could only succeed in the safe and cosy confines of the Christian industry. People seem to like this group because they are lyrically “solid” (read: their lyrics are sermons), but since I don’t rely on Casting Crowns for my discipleship, I don’t think explicitly Christian content gives them a free pass for a glaring lack of competency, let alone imagination.

Zero stars