In the Company of Angels II: The World Will Sing (CD - 2006)

In the Company of Angels II: The World Will Sing is the long-awaited sequel to the 2001 praise & worship manifesto that won Christian folk rockers Caedmon's Call a worldwide congregation, selling over 250,000 copies. A mix of impeccably produced and played standards and originals, the Texas-based collective continues to impress with their soaring harmonies, intricate arrangements, and rousing choruses. Standout cuts like "Draw Me Nearer," "We Give Thanks," and "Fountain" aren't likely to convert the secular masses, but longtime fans will rejoice in the familiar anthems. As with much in the insular world of CCM, the lyrics take a back seat to the music, relying on the kind of bland, faith-based vernacular that consistently earns the genre its reputation for mediocrity -- it's like trying to find deeper meaning in one of those "hang in there" posters from elementary school with the fluffy white kitten -- but Caedmon's Call is that rare act that could break through if they really gave it a go; the question is, do they even want to? ~ James Christopher Monger minimize