Thrive (Casting Crowns album)

Thrive
Studio album by Casting Crowns
Released January 28, 2014 (2014-01-28)
Recorded 2013
Studio Zoo Studio (Franklin, TN)
Genre Contemporary Christian, rock
Length 51:41
Label Beach Street/Reunion
Producer Mark A. Miller
Casting Crowns chronology
Come to the Well
(2011)		 Thrive
(2014)		 A Live Worship Experience
(2015)
Singles from Thrive
  1. "All You've Ever Wanted"
    Released: September 14, 2013[1]
  2. "Thrive"
    Released: March 22, 2014[2]
  3. "Broken Together"
    Released: January 20, 2015[3]
  4. "Just Be Held"
    Released: August 11, 2015[4]

Thrive (stylized as THRIVE) is the sixth studio album by American contemporary Christian music band Casting Crowns. Released on January 28, 2014 through Beach Street and Reunion Records, the album was produced by Mark A. Miller. Musically, the album, whose concept was inspired by Psalms 1 from the Bible, has a rock and contemporary Christian sound with influences from folk and bluegrass. The album received mostly positive reviews from music critics for its lyrics and musical diversity, but some critics felt that some songs were too similar to the work of other artists or to their own previous work.

Thrive sold 43,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release; although this was short of projections to sell 75,000 copies, it peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart, while also charting in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and the UK. The album was preceded by the lead single "All You've Ever Wanted", which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart. It has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Background and composition

Thrive was recorded at Zoo Studio in Franklin, Tennessee,[5] with producer Mark A. Miller.[6] According to lead vocalist Mark Hall, the idea behind Thrive came from the student ministry he is involved in. As a youth pastor, Hall frequently uses Psalms 1, which metaphorically compares the concept of a righteous man to a prosperous tree planted by a river. Hall said that many people he has talked with are simply surviving, which he feels contrasts with this — he felt that, although hard times can come upon anyone, people are not put in these situations to simply survive through them, but rather to thrive through the adversity.[7] Using the metaphor, Hall noted that, if one were to pull away all the dirt from around a tree, one would find roots digging into the ground in addition to the limbs of the tree reaching out. Hall elaborated that "you need to get your strength from God; you don’t get it on your own. If you’re all limbs, the thorns of life will knock you over. You need to dig your roots in and let God reach out through you".[8] Accordingly, half of the record focuses on 'reaching out', while the other half focuses on 'digging deep'.[7] Hall described the record as being "an effort to draw a picture of what a believer, a follower of Jesus, would look like if they dug into their roots and understood God and themselves more, and then instead of trying to go be Christian for God, they just let God give them chances to be a Christian".[9]
"Thrive"
The title track is a folk pop song, and has been compared to Mumford and Sons and Phillip Phillips.
"All You've Ever Wanted"
"All You've Ever Wanted" is led by piano, and has an adult contemporary sound.
"Broken Together"
Described as being "Coldplay pop", "Broken Together" is a piano ballad.
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The music on Thrive has been described as contemporary Christian;[10][11] and rock[12] it was also described as "mid '90s grunge rock with country flair"[13] and the album as having "rock, pop, and worship" songs.[14] Thrive was also noted to have influences from folk[15] and bluegrass at times.[13] The main instruments used on the album include the electric guitar,[10][14] acoustic guitar,[14] and piano. The songs have been called anthems that are intended for people in both jovial and trying times.[16]

The first song on the album, the title track "Thrive", has been described as having a folk pop sound[15] similar to Mumford and Sons or Phillip Phillips.[17] The banjo and mandolin are used in its arrangement[14] in addition to electric guitars and backing vocals.[10] "All You've Ever Wanted" is led by a piano riff,[14] and displays an adult contemporary sound similar to much of the rest of the band's discography.[15] "Just Be Held" also incorporates adult contemporary elements,[15] with one critic comparing the song's string arrangement to those on Downton Abbey,[14] while "You Are the Only One" is a worship song.[14][15] "Broken Together", described as "Coldplay pop",[18] is a piano ballad;[15] the song's protagonist "smashes the facade of a fairy-tale relationship, forgoing the happy ending with the realization that 'maybe you and I were never meant to be complete'".[11]

"Love You with the Truth" is a orchestral rock song,[15] and has been described as a softer version of the music of Skillet.[14] "This Is Now" and "Dream for You" utilize a mix of electric and acoustic guitars,[14] with the latter noted as having a "bluesy" sound.[12] "Follow Me", a ballad with folk influences, is sung by Megan Garrett.[15] "House of Their Dreams" thematically revolves around a family that has pursued material interests at the expense of being together;[14] musically, the song was compared to a softer version of the band's song "American Dream".[15] "Waiting on the Night to Fall" is a warning against Satan, urging listeners not to become complacent.[12]

Release and promotion

Prior to the release of Thrive, "All You've Ever Wanted" was released as the album's lead single.[7] The song was released to Christian AC radio on September 14, 2013[1] and as a digital download on September 24, 2013.[19] The song has peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart,[20] No. 10 on the Christian Airplay chart,[21] and No. 2 on the Christian Digital Songs chart.[22] Two other songs were released as downloads prior to the album's release: "Thrive", which peaked at No. 10 on the Christian Songs chart[20] and No. 3 on the Christian Digital Songs chart,[22] and "This Is Now", which peaked at No. 15 on the Christian Songs chart[20] and No. 3 on the Christian Digital Songs chart.[22] Following the release of the album, two other songs ("Broken Together" and "Just Be Held") charted on the Christian Songs chart at No. 45 and 50, respectively.[20]

Thrive was released on January 28, 2014.[23] Billboard projected the album would sell around 75,000 copies in the United States in its first week, enough for a top-ten debut on the Billboard 200 and a No. 1 debut on the Christian Albums chart.[24] The album ultimately sold 43,000 units,[25] debuting at No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart,[26] No. 6 on the Billboard 200,[27] and No. 8 on the Digital Albums chart.[28] It went on to become the best-selling Christian album of 2014, shifting 339,000 copies throughout the year.[29]

The album also charted internationally. It debuted at No. 23 on the Billboard Canadian Albums Chart[30] and No. 52 on the Dutch Albums chart.[31] Although it did not chart on the main UK Albums Chart, it did reach No. 1 on the UK's Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart;[32] it also appeared on the Australia Hitseekers Albums chart, which ranks the top albums by artists who have not yet reached the top 50 on the main Australian Albums Chart.[33]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com[34]
Christian Music Zine[35]
CM Addict[16]
Cross Rhythms[12]
Indie Vision Music[10]
Jesus Freak Hideout[15]
New Release Tuesday[36]
USA Today[18]
Worship Leader[13]

Thrive received mostly positive reviews from music critics. The album's songwriting and musical diversity were generally praised. Joshua Andre of Christian Music Zine awarded the album four and a half out of five stars, describing the lyrics as "profound" while praising the music as the most innovative and varied the band had put out to date.[35] Lins Honeyman of Cross Rhythms rated the album nine out of ten squares, calling it "outstanding" and praising its musically diversity. He also praised the band, saying they were "refreshingly willing to take a chance and most certainly at the top of the game".[12] Jonathan Andre of Indie Vision Music rated Thrive four out of five stars, calling it the band's "most personal and musically diverse album to date".[10] Kate Padilla of The Daily Reporter praised both the album's songwriting and sound, and felt that the album could be appreciated, regardless of whether or not the buyer listens to Christian radio.[17]

Other critics praised the album's overall quality, both in comparison to the band's previous work and the Christian music genre. Ed Cardinal of Crosswalk.com described Thrive as "top quality" and described the majority of the album was marked by "intensity", and said "It may not be the easiest, breeziest listen... but this album can help fight that dark enemy with every play".[14] Kevin Davis of New Release Tuesday rated Thrive four and a half stars, ranking the album's songs as among the best he had heard from group and saying that it is "sure to be one of the year's best [albums]".[36] Laura Chambers of Christian Music Review rated the album 4.9 out of 5, describing it as "one of the best albums I’ve heard in a long time". Although she noted the album covered some lyrical topics the band had discussed before, she felt this was not a bad thing, considering it "less of a rehash and more of a reminder".[37] Jeremy Armstrong of Worship Leader rated Thrive three and a half out of five stars, praising the band as having a "broad appeal" and describing the album as a "fine release".[13] At CM Addict, Brianne Bellomy rated the album four stars out of five, remarking that the release "is another power packed album full of songs that speak to everyone".[16] At About.com, Kim Jones rated Thrive four-and-a-half stars out of five, praising the album as being "delivered with [...] passion" and saying that it has "arrows [pointed] straight to the heart".[34]

Other critics presented a more mixed response; Mark Rice of Jesus Freak Hideout rated the album three out of five stars, arguing it was an improvement over their previous efforts in some respects but feeling it was, for the most part, either "stagnation or regression".[15] Although Piet Levy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel praised the songwriting, saying it "stands out [...] at times featuring troubled protagonists and earned redemption", he felt several songs sounded too similar to the work of other artists.[11] Brian Mansfield of USA Today rated it two and a half out of four stars, describing the band as "chameleonic" but praising "House of Their Dreams" and "Broken Together".[18]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Thrive"  Mark Hall, Matthew West5:06
2."All You've Ever Wanted"  Hall, Bernie Herms4:04
3."Just Be Held"  Hall, Herms, West3:41
4."You Are the Only One"  Blake Bollinger, Hall, Matt Maher3:47
5."Broken Together"  Hall, Herms4:45
6."Love You With the Truth"  Hall, Herms4:03
7."This Is Now"  Hall, West4:39
8."Dream for You"  Hall, West3:58
9."Follow Me"  Beth Farris4:12
10."Heroes"  Hall, West4:14
11."House of Their Dreams"  Hall4:22
12."Waiting on the Night to Fall"  Hall4:50
Total length:51:41

Personnel and credits

Credits taken from Allmusic[38]

Casting Crowns

  • Juan DeVevo – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
  • Melodee DeVevo – violin, background vocals
  • Megan Garrett – background vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Mark Hall – vocals
  • Chris Huffman – bass guitar
  • Josh Mix – electric guitar
  • Brian Scoggin – drums

Additional musicians

  • Dave Angell – violin
  • Monisa Angell – viola
  • Carrie Bailey – violin
  • Tom Bukovaxc – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
  • John Catchings – cello
  • David Childress – bass
  • Janet Darnall – violin
  • David Davidson – concert master, string contractor, violin
  • Chris Farrell – viola
  • Stuart Garrard – electric guitar
  • Jim Gray – conductor, orchestration
  • Jim Grosjean – cello, soloist, violin
  • Erin Hall – violin
  • Bernie Herms – keyboards
  • Bobby Huff – drums, percussion
  • Anthony LaMarchina – cello, soloist, viola
  • Betsy Lamb – violin
  • Blair Masters – keyboards
  • Jerry McPherson – electric guitar
  • The Nashville recording orchestra – strings
  • Adam Nitti – bass
  • Sari Reist – cello
  • Jason Roller – acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin
  • Pam Sixfin – violin
  • Mary Katherine van osdale – violin
  • Karen Winkelmann – violin

Technical

  • Brent Baker – music preparation
  • Dale Griffin – assistant engineer
  • Lia Harrison – assistant engineer
  • Terry Hemmings – executive producer
  • Bernie Herms – orchestration, programming, string arrangements
  • Sam Hewitt – engineer
  • Shayne Hill – digital editing
  • Bobby Huff – digital editing
  • Rody Inestroza – assistant engineer
  • Chris Ivey – assistant engineer
  • Eric Jackson – assistant engineer
  • Billy Lord – vocal engineer
  • Blair Masters – programming
  • Mark A. Miller – producer
  • Jonathan O'hara – music preparation
  • Steve Lowery – mixing
  • Joe Palmaccio – mastering
  • David Schober – engineer, orchestration recording
  • Nick Spezia – assistant orchestra engineer

Misc.

  • Michelle Box – A&R
  • Russ Harrington – photography
  • Silas Huffman – tributee
  • Beth Lee – art direction
  • Jason McArthur – A&R
  • Tim Parker – art direction, design

Charts

Billboard named the album No. 1 for 2014 on its Christian Albums chart.[39]

Charts (2014) Peak
position
Australian Hitseekers Albums (ARIA)[33] 3
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[30] 23
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[31] 52
UK Albums (OCC)[40] 170
UK Christian & Gospel Albums (OCC)[32] 1
US Billboard 200[27] 6
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[26] 1

Single charts

Year Song Peak chart positions
US Christ
[20]		 Christian Airplay
[21]
2013 "All You've Ever Wanted" 3 10
2014 "Thrive" 6 6
"Broken Together" 8 11
2015 "Just Be Held" 3 2

Certifications

Country Certification Units shipped
United States Gold[41] 500,000[42]

References

  1. 1 2 "Going for Adds – Christian AC". Radio & Records. VNU Media. September 14, 2013. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Going for Adds – Christian AC". Radio & Records. VNU Media. March 22, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Going for Adds – Christian AC". Radio & Records. VNU Media. January 20, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Going for Adds – Christian AC". Radio & Records. VNU Media. August 11, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Thrive (Musial CD, 2014)". WorldCat. OCLC. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  6. ↑ AllMusic. "Thrive - Casting Crowns : Credits". Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 Sarachik, Justin (November 20, 2013). "Casting Crowns New Album 'THRIVE' Coming in January 2014 Along with Tour and Book". The Christian Post. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  8. ↑ McElhiney, Brian (September 12, 2013). "Casting Crowns leader balances family, church, tours". The Daily Gazette. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  9. ↑ Cummings, Tony (December 8, 2013). "Casting Crowns: Frontman of the Platinum-selling group talks about 'Thrive'". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Andre, Jonathan (January 24, 2014). "Casting Crowns – Thrive | Reviews". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  11. 1 2 3 Levy, Piet (January 28, 2014). "CD Reviews: Casting Crowns; Rhonda Vincent; Iced Earth; Amy Ray; Laura Cantrell; the Autumn Defense". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Honeyman, Lins (December 18, 2013). "Review: Thrive - Casting Crowns". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Armstrong, Jeremy (December 17, 2013). "Thrive". Worship Leader. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Cardinal, Ed (January 21, 2014). "Music Faith Grows Strong on Thrive". Crosswalk.com. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Rice, Mark (January 21, 2014). "Casting Crowns, "Thrive" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  16. 1 2 3 Bellomy, Brianne (March 13, 2014). "Review of Thrive by Casting Crowns". CM Addict. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  17. 1 2 Padilla, Kate (January 30, 2014). "Music Review: 'Thrive'". The Daily Reporter. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  18. 1 2 3 Mansfield, Brian (January 27, 2014). "Listen Up: Other notable releases". USA Today. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  19. ↑ "All You've Ever Wanted". Amazon.com. September 24, 2013. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 "Christian Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  21. 1 2 "Christian Airplay". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  22. 1 2 3 "Christian Digital Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Thrive - Casting Crowns". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  24. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (January 29, 2014). "'Grammy Nominees' Album Aiming for First No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  25. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (February 5, 2014). "'Frozen' Longest-Running No. 1 Film Soundtrack Since 2003". Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  26. 1 2 "Christian Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  27. 1 2 "Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Digital Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  29. ↑ Christman, Ed (January 9, 2015). "Music in 2014: Taylor Takes the Year, Republic Records on Top, Streaming to the Rescue". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  30. 1 2 "Canadian Albums (February 15, 2014)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  31. 1 2 "Album Top 100 (February 1, 2014)". charts.org.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  32. 1 2 "Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart Archive (February 8, 2014)". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  33. 1 2 "The ARIA Report" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). February 3, 2014. p. 21. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  34. 1 2 Jones, Kim (January 28, 2014). "Casting Crowns - Thrive - Review". About.com. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  35. 1 2 Andre, Joshua (January 27, 2014). "Casting Crowns – Thrive (Review)". Christian Music Zine. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  36. 1 2 Davis, Kevin (January 13, 2014). "Made to Thrive". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  37. ↑ Chambers, Laura (January 25, 2014). "Casting Crowns 'Thrive'". Christian Music Review. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  38. ↑ "Thrive (Credits)". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Charts - Year End 2014". Billboard magazine. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  40. ↑ CHART: CLUK Update 8.02.2014 (wk5). zobbel.de. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Gold and Platinum Database". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Retrieved 4 November 2011. Note: User must input the artist name to attain the cited data.
  42. ↑ "RIAA – Certification Criteria". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Retrieved 4 November 2011.
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