Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Music Review


Michael W. Smith, This Is Your Time
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Michael W. Smith
This Is Your Time



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 13 tracks: 50 minutes, 25 seconds
Street Date: January 12, 1999


Michael W. Smith wrote 26 new songs for his 1998 release Live The Life, but only used 14 of them (12 on the actual album and two more as B-sides to the two lead singles). So does a megastar Christian musician do with the other 12? Well, naturally, include them on his next release!

Released less than a year after Live The Life, This Is Your Time has a distinctly different sound from his previous album despite all the songs being written at the same time. Overall, This Is Your Time is more whimsical, optimistic, and... Celtic. Yes, there are a lot of bagpipes on this album, or at least it feels like it. After all, the opening track is an instrumental very prominently featuring the instrument. In actuality, only two of the songs feature the bagpipes, but because the instrument is the very first thing we hear, it feels like it was used more frequently. And, of course, it is prominently featured in the most famous song from this album. As far as the rest of the music, think of your more basic piano/guitar pop, complete with drum loops. It doesn't sound much like the type of music you think about when you think about Smith, especially after albums like I'll Lead You Home and Live The Life, but true to form, he does give all the music the usual Smithian flavor. Still, knowing the immense skill Smith has for instrumentation, it feels a bit too simple for one of his albums. That's not to say it is not good; it is great, but just simple.

As for the individual songs, needless to say, the big standout is the title track, written in memory of Cassie Bernall and the victims of the Columbine shooting. Regardless of whether or not the encounter between Bernall and the gunmen actually happened, the song is still a beautiful, inspiring, and optimistic tribute to her and all the victims of the tragedy, and possibly the most moving song Smith has ever created. And that theme of optimism, as well as a sense of nostalgia, is thick throughout this whole album. This makes the album a good pick-me-up to listen to after a long hard day, and, of course, any other occasion as well. Other songs that deserve mention is the fun little song about slowing down for life, called "Hey, You - It's Me;" the similarly themed retrospective tracks "Anna" (written for his daughter) and "Everybody Free;" and possibly Smith's first song to ever feature voice distortions in "Reach Out To Me." And he even has a funky and otherwise very whimsical track in "I'm Gone." Smith's instrumental reprise of "This Is Your Time" is as gorgeous as any instrumental he has ever written.

It surprised me how much I liked this album, considering that this was basically an album full of the rejects of Live The Life. But it does not feel like that at all. This is a very good, very entertaining, and very inspiring album. It's certainly not one of Smith's best, but nevertheless, it's very good. However, you just can't shake the feeling that this album was created as a vehicle for the title track. Its presence is felt throughout the whole album (but I'm sure there is some intention in that). That is certainly not a bad thing, but it is worth noting. All in all, This Is Your Time is a very heartfelt, optimistic, and entertaining project that is definitely worth a listen.

- Review date: 7/23/12, written by Mark Rice of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Reunion Records
. Album length: 13 tracks: 50 minutes, 25 seconds
. Street Date: January 12, 1999
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Rince Dè (1:32)
  2. Hey You - It's Me (4:02)
  3. Worth It All (4:03)
  4. I Will Be Your Friend (3:18)
  5. This Is Your Time (4:28)
  6. I Will Carry You (5:04)
  7. She Walks With Me (3:42)
  8. Reach Out To Me (3:58)
  9. I Still Have The Dream (4:18)
  10. I'm Gone (4:32)
  11. Anna (4:16)
  12. Everybody Free (4:43)
  13. This Is Your Time (Reprise) (2:24)
  14. From Here On [Bonus Track] (8:03)

 

Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Wednesday, July 16, 2025
SINGLES
1K Phew Yet - Single [Reach]

This Friday, July 18, 2025
ALBUMS
Justin Gambino Just Like Jesus - EP [Residence Music]
The Inspirations Up Above The World So High [Horizon]
Mary-Clair Enough [Vere]
MotionPlus Improper Decorum [SoulFeeder, Polished Arrow Music]
The Rocky Valentines Music On The Shelf [Velvet Blue]
Emilie Weiss Come Through (Studio Session) - EP [BEC]

SINGLES
Chris Caro OTW - Single [Syntax]
Melvin Crispell III Reason To Dance - Single [Provident]
Crowder STILL (feat. Zach Williams) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Vic Lucas Holy Ghost (ft. Lady Audri) - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Honest Cvlture ft. STIXX aka Conejo) - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes in Harmony Lift Your Name - Single [Syntax]
Speedy the Artist Reach For Elohim - Single [Syntax]
Zane Walls Think About Me - Single [DREAM]

This Sunday, July 20, 2025
VINYL
King's X Manic Moonlight Vinyl [Girder]

Next Wednesday, July 23, 2025
ALBUMS
Eric Roberson Beautifully All Over The Place (independent)

Next Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images