from: cmcentral.com
author: Brenten Gilbert
website: http://www.cmcentral.com

»» Casting Pearls
Casting Pearls

The concept of love is often lost on our culture. Whether it's the inundation of images that portray a false perception of what love can be, or simply a jaded worldview due to past experiences, we are often prevented from understanding or realizing the true nature of all that love can be. When we are faced with real, authentic love, however, there is no denying its power. It is captivating and alluring enough to make us leave everything else behind for a chance to experience it firsthand.

Casting Pearls addresses this concept of a powerful love that is such an undeniable energy that it will utterly change your life. Their self-titled debut release comes after years of hard work in the independent music scene. Much like the love they describe in the disc's opening track "Weighted," the record deal with Inpop Records seemed to seek them out. Working with producers Jason Burkum and Nathan Dantzler (Audio Adrenaline) as well as Phil Joel (Newsboys) who also provides some guest vocals, the duo of Bryan Oleson and Case Maranville have crafted a ten-song album that resonates with the true and often overlooked aspects of love.

With a strong and delicious pop rock backdrop, Casting Pearls describes a love that lasts forever ("All About Love"), offers comfort ("Focus"), and changes you to the very core of your life ("Revolution", "Love's Done Something"). The album also discusses the assurance we have knowing that God is in control on songs such as "Whole World In His Hands" (Tim Hughes) and "Alright". Before the songs are done, the group points their listeners to the only source of this love with the emotional closing ballad, "You Alone." This short but potent song also speaks of the need to give control of our lives over to God, who is faithful, forgiving and the embodiment of love.

The release obviously focuses on the crunchy guitars and pop-filled hooks that draw in a crowd of listeners, something the duo happens to pull off really well. While not a monumentally creative release, Casting Pearls manages to accentuate the power of their sound, the clean lines of production and the dizzying vocals of Oleson that are at times reminiscent of Kevin Max. Tracks like "Weighted," "Wastin' Time" and "All About Love" really allow the group to strut their stuff and give a solid boost to the album's potential.

It shouldn't be too surprising that Casting Pearls has a sound that will really appeal to fans of the Newsboys rock albums. Grinding pop-driven guitars, free-spirited vocals and huge, contagious hooks make this debut release one to check out.

Brenten's rating: 85 %

--Brenten Gilbert ««