Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

  Jesusfreakhideout.com 5-Star Review

  JFH 5-Star Review




Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith Project



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 41 Minutes, 21 Seconds
Street Date: 1983


In 1983, a young singer/songwriter named Michael Whitaker Smith emerged from the background of Christian music to release his solo debut Project. Having made a name for himself in the early 1980s as a songwriter for artists such as Sandi Patti, Kathy Troccoli and, most prominently, Amy Grant, Smith signed to the then-fledgling Reunion Records for his artist debut. With his wife Deborah acting as primary lyricist, Smith wrote the music for the entirety of Project, filling it with eight pop/rock originals, three synth-based instrumentals and, as time would prove, more than its share of enduring classics.

You cannot mention Michael W. Smith's name without immediately being reminded of the one song that has made him most famous: "Friends." This iconic song made its first appearance on Project and while it remains the undeniable centerpiece of Smith's debut, the rest of the album holds up just as well as a landmark release in early CCM history.

The album is divided fairly equally between upbeat rockers, melodic pop numbers, and powerful anthems. "You Need A Savior," "The Race Is On," and "Be Strong And Courageous" are among the most propulsive rockers Smith has ever penned, while "Could He Be The Messiah" and "Love In The Light" are pop classics built around MWS's established strengths: unabashed melodicism and straightforward, yet unmistakably Christian messages. The album also closes off with two of his most famous anthems: "Friends" and the now-worship standard "Great Is The Lord."

Lyrically, Project's songs are split between Biblically inspired narratives ("Could He Be The Messiah" and "Be Strong And Courageous"), encouraging exhortations ("You Need A Savior," "Love In The Light" and "The Race Is On") and personal confessions on faith and friendship ("Too Many Times" and the timeless "Friends"). There's a disarming simplicity to Smith's lyrics that is missed in much of today's Christian music and that's partly why Project has stood up so well. Two and a half decades after it was first released, Smith's debut still stands as a boldly Christian album in an age when most projects are glaringly self-conscious about their Christianity.

Although Michael W. Smith would continue to have a long-lasting and wildly successful career in Christian music, it all started in 1983 with Project. More than just a historical artifact, Project is a musically and lyrically remarkable album that still speaks to listeners today. A truly defining release in Christian music!

- Review date: 2/10/07, written by Sherwin Frias



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Reunion Records
. Album length: 11 tracks, 41 Minutes and 21 Seconds
. Street Date: 1983
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Sonata In D Major
  2. You Need A Saviour
  3. Could He Be The Messiah
  4. Too Many Times
  5. Be Strong And Courageous
  6. Looking Up
  7. The Race Is On
  8. First Light/Love In The Light
  9. Friends
  10. Great Is The Lord
  11. Alpha Overture
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

Search JFH




This Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]

Next Friday, November 15, 2024
ALBUMS
Dolly Parton & Family Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables [Owepar Entertainment]
The Lore Family Faith Over Fear [Horizon]
Fernando Ortega For All the Saints - EP (independent)
Earnest Pugh Worth is the Lamb
We Are Messengers Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas) - EP [Curb]
Paul Wright III Reverie [United Alliance]

SINGLES
Big Dismal Here In My Heart - Single (independent)
Hannah Kerr It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Single [Curb]
Olivia Lane Silent Night - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Wake Up It's Christmas - Single [BEC]
Jamie MacDonald A Million Chances - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ronnie Martin On Christmas Morning - Single [Velvet Blue]
Hunter Plake Daylight - Single [BEC]
Jordan St. Cyr Christ is Here - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Divine Discontent Vinyl [Word]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images