In the Company of Angels 2: The World Will Sing
Listen. Do you hear it? That hissing sound. It's the sad sound of air leaking from a Caedmon's Call balloon that once flew so high and was full of promise. Ever since the departure of Derek Webb in 2003, the band has sorely missed his songwriting and creative contributions. Never has it been more evident than inIn the Company of Angels 2: The World Will Sing, a follow-up to the group's solid 2001 releaseIn the Company of Angels: A Call to Worship. Certainly Cliff and Danielle Young continue to produce pleasing AC rock with tracks like "Great and Mighty," "Rest Upon Us," and the catchy and bouncy "Sing His Love." Those are topped by the highlighted mid-tempo hymn "Draw Me Nearer" and Danielle Young's poignant vocals on "Be Merciful to Me." But the bulk of the release is dragged down by bland, uninspiring music like "The Story," "The Fountain," and "We Give Thanks." Unfortunately the energy (or lack thereof) of these tracks pales in comparison to the 2001Companyrelease along with much of the band's earlier catalog. The dynamic between Webb and the Youngs, which often yielded melodic yet challenging light rock, is no longer there. This is what helped catapult the band into the upper echelons of Christian music. And its absence is what is now bringing them down, back to Earth.--Michael Lyttle