Casting Crowns (album) - Critical Reception and Accolades

Critical Reception and Accolades

Casting Crowns received positive reviews from music critics. Particular praise was given to the album's lyrical content and production quality. Ashleigh Kittle of Allmusic gave it three out of five stars, comparing the album's overall sound to that of Chapman, Caedmon's Call, and Phillips, Craig & Dean. Andy Argyrakis of CCM Magazine gave the album a B grade, praising the album as a "promising freshman effort" but critiquing its "tendency to occasionally reflect its primary muse a bit too liberally". Belinda S. Ayers of Christian Broadcasting Network praised the album's lyrics and sound. Steve Best of Cross Rhythms gave Casting Crowns ten out of ten stars, saying "The passion of lead vocalist and youth pastor Hall jumps out of each set of lyrics, while Chapman's distinctive production touch...makes this a must listen album". While praising the album's overall production and lyrical content, Breimeier said the album "too readily recalls the work of its producers, leaving us to wonder how much of it is really Casting Crowns" - he gave the album three-and-a-half out of five stars. The album received positive reviews from Brian Mansfield of USA Today, Robin Parrish of CMCentral.com, and Michael Herman of Christianity Today.

Casting Crowns was nominated for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 35th GMA Dove Awards. "If We Are the Body" was nominated for the Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year at the same event. At the 36th GMA Dove Awards, "American Dream" was nominated for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year and "Who Am I" was nominated for Worship Song of the Year. "Who Am I" won the awards for Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year while "Voice of Truth" won the award for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year. "Voice of Truth" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 37th GMA Dove Awards.