Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review




Michael W. Smith
Stand



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 40 minutes, 1 second
Street Date: November 7, 2006


Following dual worship albums, a contemporary pop release, and his first shot at acting in a feature film, Michael W. Smith returns to music with a renewed vision for music with his nineteenth album, Stand. Smith has become somewhat of a staple in contemporary music and Stand is a daring attempt to break out of the mold from which Smith has created over the years. To accomplish this, Michael has enlisted help from the producing talents of Matt Bronleewe and has surrounded himself with some of the best songwriters, including young prodigy Leeland Mooring (from newcomers Leeland), Amy Grant, Martin Smith (from Delirious?), and even his wife and children (on "Come See"). The end result is a personal and intimate pop record with plenty of worshipful moments.

Stand gets off to a strong start with the piano-driven pop/rock vibe of the worship-minded "Cover Me." Smitty's vocals are visibly more raw and gritty, forsaking the polish and overproduction of a lot of CCM. Because of the album's more stripped-down appeal, Stand just might be this artist's most accessible record of his impressive career. "Open Arms" is a melodic call to action for believers to usher in the lost while "Come To The Cross" is an upbeat, anthemic invitation to find solace at the feet of Jesus. In fact, a lot of what Stand is about is calling Christians to action. "The Stand" and the theatrical heights of "Come See" and "In Silence" are energizing anthems for the church and strong album highlights that are liable to ignite the hearts of believers. But there are just as many tender and delicate moments as well, including the powerful and heartbreaking ballad "How To Say Goodbye," the thoughtful "Grace," and worshipful "Be Lifted High." Oddly enough, the record closes with a complete stylistic shift for the motown, Stevie Wonder throwback "Escape Your Love." Smith pulls off the task with class, however, despite the fact it doesn't necessarily fit with the rest of Stand. While an earlier version of the record ended with "Come See," giving the album a more profound finish musically and lyrically ("Come home / Come lay your burdens down / Come home / His arms are open..."), "Escape Your Love" leaves the listener on a much lighter note.

Stand marks a new chapter in Michael W. Smith's prestigious career. Fresh, creative, bold, and inspirational, Stand is the Michael W. Smith album many, including this particular reviewer, have been waiting for and is incidentally one of 2006's best pop offerings.

- Review date: 11/4/06, written by John DiBiase

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Reunion Records
. Album length: 11 tracks, 40 minutes and 1 second
. Street Date: November 7, 2006
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Cover Me
  2. Open Arms
  3. Come To The Cross
  4. How To Say Goodbye
  5. Be Lifted High
  6. Oh Lord, You're Beautiful
  7. Grace
  8. The Stand
  9. Come See
  10. In Silence
  11. Escape Your Love
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

 

 

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

Search JFH



This Friday, August 8, 2025
ALBUMS
C4 Crotona When Heaven Hears Gunshots [Syntax]
CXMMXNS All The Praise Belongs [Provident]
Blessing Offor Real [Capitol CMG]
Zane Walls Think About Me - EP [DREAM]

SINGLES
Coqui LIVING 2 DIE - Single [DREAM]
Luvell Elevado ALTAR - Single [Syntax]
Mike Geo I Will Be Your Home - Single [Syntax]
Myles Maestro Feel Good! - Single [Syntax]
No Vain Glory FREEZE - Single [Syntax]
Troy Patterson Just Function - Single [Syntax]
We Are Messengers Losing You - Single [Curb]
Corey Wise RIN (ft. Corrine Mason) - Single [Syntax]

Next Wednesday, August 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Various Artists Songs We've Been Trying To Tell You About (And Others We Haven't), Vol. 14 [JFH Music]

Next Friday, August 15, 2025
ALBUMS
Mark Bishop Grandkids - EP [Sonlite]
The CCC Collective Brooklyn Culture (independent)
Equippers Worship Awe [DREAM Worship]
The Final Witness Beneath The Altar [Rottweiler]
Grammatrain Flying Collector's Edition CD [Girder]
Grammatrain Lonely House 30th Anniversary Edition CD [Girder]
Katy Nichole Honest Conversations [Centricity]
Relentless Pursuit Apocalypsis (independent)
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]

SINGLES
Johan Åsgärde Coming Home - Single [Gotee]
Jeff Deyo There is a Fire - Single (independent)
Steven Malcolm All God - Single [Curb]
Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, & Elevation Worship So So Good (Live) - Single [Fair Trade]

VINYL
Grammatrain Flying Vinyl [Girder]
Grammatrain Lonely House 30th Anniversary Edition Vinyl [Girder]
Newsboys Going Public Vinyl [Girder]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images