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

JFH Music Review




Michael Olson
Where Fear & Faith Collide



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 39 minutes, 10 seconds
Street Date: February 13, 2007


While Michael Olson's debut Long Arm of Love might not have blown listeners away with its originality, it was the first glance at an artist who has many things going for him. Olson's clean, crisp voice and solid songwriting stirred up comparisons to the better-known Michael of Christian music and a younger Steven Curtis Chapman. With his sophomore release Where Fear & Faith Collide, Olson proves himself worthy of such parallels. But he also shows he's not merely a younger version of the two singers, playing a variety of styles and establishing his own sound.

Olson does his best work when he's not worried about how a song will sound on the airwaves (like he is with "On The Third Day"). "If You Can Stop The World" is catchy, and should also find success if released for radio, but doesn't display Olson's full capabilities. They are revealed most in the heart of the album where, after a rough start, it really takes off.

Olson does a little bit of everything; "Unchanged" sounds like a mixture of MercyMe and Starfield, while "Our First Love" is reminiscent of Five for Fighting - heartfelt and beautifully sung, it's the standout track of the album. It truly showcases Olson's talents and his ability to branch out beyond sappy pop songs like "On The Third Day." "God Is With Us" picks up the tempo and delivers a catchy, bold song of praise. "Tell Me Again" follows, slowing things down with soft violins and spot-on harmony. "Fear and Faith" is next, and though its chorus sounds unmistakably like some of Chapman's work, it's done so well that it's closer to a remastery than a rip-off.

Olson does hit a few potholes near the end of Fear & Faith. "Helpless" and "Everywhere" don't fare quite as well as the previous several songs, presenting little that hasn't been heard before. "Drawing Near" is better, but not quite the stellar finale one might anticipate after hearing "Our First Love."

Where Fear & Faith Collide is at times exactly what listeners might expect to hear, but often may surprise them by how mature and diverse it can be. It's a step up from Olson's debut, and while still leaving room for growth in the future, is one of the year's best albums of its kind.

- Review date: 2/11/07, written by Spencer Priest



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Rocketown Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 39 minutes, 10 seconds
. Street Date: February 13, 2007
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. On The Third Day
  2. If You Can Stop The World
  3. Unchanged
  4. Our First Love
  5. God Is With Us
  6. Tell Me Again
  7. Fear and Faith
  8. Helpless
  9. Everywhere
  10. Drawing Near
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

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next 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]



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