Finding Hope in the Healer
Posted January 18, 2022
By JasminPatterson_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need to Know
Mutli-platinum and Grammy Award-winning adult contemporary band, Casting Crowns, has released their latest studio album, Healer. The new record explores what healing looks like in different situations in our lives and calls the listener to cling to Jesus as the only true answer to the healing we need.
What It Sounds Like
Healer is as diverse sonically as it is thematically, but still packaged in that signature Casting Crowns mix of country, rock, and contemporary. Consequently, the album is equally refreshing and familiar. The album's high-energy tracks, such as "Desert Road" and "Crazy People," are concert singalongs. The mid-tempo songs and ballads, a staple on every Casting Crowns album, such as "Anything But Easy," "Scars In Heaven," and title-track "Healer," are thoughtful and prayful.
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights
Casting Crowns has described their songs as sermons set to music; they really do teach and disciple people through their lyrics. This album is no exception. "2nd Opinions," in particular, sheds light on the inspirational quotes and clichés Christians often embrace that sound scriptural but actually aren't in the Bible. The song has a country-folk vibe with clever, convicting lyrics that challenge us to make sure the messages we cling to for direction and encouragement are rooted in the truth of God's Word.
"It ain't hard to get hooked on the book of second opinions/We'd rather live our own truth, don't tell us what to do, just what we wanna hear/But it's high time we turned our interest to God's word instead of Pinterest/And finally close the book of second opinions."
Best Song
Healer makes it difficult to pick just one for best song. But I've got to mention the lead single, "Scars In Heaven." You can tell from the first note that there's something special about it. It has already broken streaming records and made its mark on Christian radio as audiences resonate with its message. The lyrics perfectly capture the pain of loss, the healing that's found in bringing grief to Jesus, and the comfort that comes from knowing a loved one is in His loving arms in heaven.
My personal favorite is "Anything But Easy." It has some of the best vocal arrangements on the record. And I appreciate how the song gets real about the struggle we all face to overcome awkward feelings so we can speak truth in love and share our faith with the people in our lives who need to hear it. It meets you right where you are and calls you higher at the same time.
For Fans Of
Final Word
Healer is a goldmine of diverse lyrical themes and deep scriptural truth to dig into long after you've listened to the music. These songs will make you clap, foot-stomp, cry, worship, and reflect all on the same album. The album's only downside is that it's so good I wish it was longer. But lead vocalist Mark Hall revealed in a YouTube livestream that the decision to release a shorter album followed soon after by another album was intentional, to give people time to really digest the music's content. So, the good news is, we can look forward to more to come.
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