Peace on Earth (Casting Crowns album)
Peace on Earth is the first Christmas album by American Christian rock band Casting Crowns. Produced by Mark Hall and Mark A. Miller, it was released on October 7, 2008. Intended by Hall to bring out the worshipful aspect of Christmas, the album does not have songs relating to secular Christmas traditions, instead featuring a mix of traditional Christmas carols and original songs. As co-producer, Hall attempted to differentiate the album from their previous ones by attempting to use creative ideas they had not tried before, and he also wanted to utilize the band's female members in a broader and more visible role on the album.
Upon its release, Peace on Earth met with mixed reviews. Some critics praised the album's emphasis on traditional Christmas songs and the worship aspect of Christmas, while others criticized the album's original songs and felt it was a disappointment in comparison to the band's previous albums. The album peaked at number one on the Billboard Christian Albums and Catalog Albums charts, number two on the Holiday Albums chart, and number fifteen on the Billboard 200. Peace on Earth has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying shipments of one million copies in the United States.
Background and recording[edit]
According to Casting Crowns' lead vocalist Mark Hall, Peace on Earth was written based on the question "How do you know there's peace on earth in a world that isn't very peaceful?" Hall opined that when people hear Christmas carols, they often don't hear their true message. Hall intended the album to help people rediscover the worshipful nature behind the carols. As an example of a message he wanted people to hear, he gave "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", a song written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow about his rediscovery of hope amidst several personal tragedies. Hall felt that the song's message of hope was one that his kids and their generation needed to hear. As a co-producer on the album, Hall wanted to introduce aspects and ideas that the band had not done before, and he felt the album offered a chance to branch out. He wanted the band's female members, Megan Garrett and Melodee DeVevo, to play a more prominent role, in part to show people "the gifts they have".[1]
Composition[edit]
Peace on Earth does not contain material relating to secular Christmas traditions like Santa Claus or Jack Frost,[1] instead featuring a mix of traditional Christmas carols and original songs.[2] "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", instead of using a carol of bells, has a choir of children personifying the bells by singing the refrain of 'peace on earth'. "While You Were Sleeping", originally included on the band's 2005 album Lifesong, is included in its original form. On the Lifesong version, the band had altered the song (originally written as a Christmas song) to remove the most "seasonal" elements; the version included on Peace on Earth features the lyrics in their original form. On "God Is With Us", originally recorded by Amy Grant, Hall shares lead vocal duties with the band's female members.[1] "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is an instrumental piece, which makes extensive use of DeVevo's violin playing.[1][3] "Away in a Manger" was originally included on WOW Christmas (2005), and is included on Peace on Earth in that form.[1]
Commercial performance[edit]
Peace on Earth was released on October 7, 2008.[3] It debuted at number four on the Billboard Christian Albums chart as well as at number two on the Holiday Albums chart and number fifty-six on the Billboard 200.[8] It reached a peak of number one, two, and fifteen on those charts, respectively, as well as a peak of number one on the Catalog Albums chart.[9] In the United States, it ranked as the thirtieth bestselling Christian album of 2008,[10] the fifth bestselling Christian album of 2009,[11] and the 151st bestselling album of 2009.[12] Peace on Earth received a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in November 2009,[13] signifying shipments of over 500,000 copies in the United States.[14] It was certified Platinum in December 2016,[13] ssignifying shipments of over one million copies in the United States.[14]
The album's lead single, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day",[1] peaked at number three on the Billboard Christian Songs chart[15] and number one on the Hot Christian AC chart;[16] it also became the band's first and only entry on the Adult Contemporary chart, peaking at number twenty-six.[17] Several other songs from the album also charted; "Away in a Manger" charted in 2005 following its appearance on WOW Christmas, peaking at number seven on the Christian Songs and Hot Christian AC chart.[15][16] "While You Were Sleeping" peaked at number eight on the Christian Songs chart[15] and number four on the Hot Christian AC chart,[16] and "Joy to the World" peaked at number twenty-two on the Christian Songs chart.[15]
Credits taken from the album liner notes[18]
Casting Crowns
Additional musicians
Production